Laser eye surgery is also known as refractive surgery and laser vision correction. It can correct problems with your eyesight, such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.
This treatment can mean you don’t have the inconvenience and limitations of wearing glasses or contact lenses. But as with any procedure, there are potential risks to consider.
Different types of Lasik eye surgery
Traditional Lasik: Traditional Lasik is one of the most common forms of laser eye surgery. With this type of procedure, your surgeon will create a thin flap in the outer layer of your cornea, allowing them to access the inner layers. A laser is then used to reshape your cornea, correcting refractive errors like nearsightedness and astigmatism. This type of surgery is typically fast and painless and results in improved vision within 24 hours.
Custom Lasik: Custom Lasik is a newer type of laser eye surgery. With this procedure, your surgeon uses advanced mapping technology to create a highly customized treatment plan for your vision correction needs. This procedure uses wavefront technology, which accurately measures how light passes through your eye and creates a detailed cornea map. This allows your surgeon to develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and vision, providing the best possible outcome.
PRK: (photorefractive keratectomy) is another type of laser eye surgery. With this procedure, your surgeon will use a laser to reshape the cornea without creating a flap. This means that there is no cutting or creation of a flap, so there is less risk of complications. PRK is typically best for patients with thinner corneas and can treat a wide range of vision issues.
LASEK: (laser epithelial keratomileusis) is similar to PRK but with one key difference. With this procedure, your surgeon will use an alcohol solution to loosen the epithelium, or outer layer of the cornea, before using the laser to reshape the inner layers. This procedure is best for patients with particularly sensitive eyes, as it is less likely to cause irritation.
PresbyLasik: PresbyLasik is a type of laser eye surgery designed to treat presbyopia, a common condition that affects near vision. With PresbyLasik, your surgeon will use a laser to reshape the cornea, allowing light to focus properly on the retina. This procedure can correct both near and far vision, providing clear vision at all distances and reducing the need for bifocal glasses.
How does laser eye surgery work?
There are various types of laser surgery. Saudi German Hospital Dubai offers LASIK , PRK and PRESBYOND. All use lasers to change the shape of the clear layer that covers the front of your eye (your cornea). This corrects short- or long-sight by enabling your eye to focus correctly.
Laser eye surgery may also help with age-related sight changes. Each procedure involves a slightly different technique. Different procedures suit different people. Your surgeon will explain which one is best for you. Who can have laser eye surgery? Laser eye surgery isn’t suitable for everyone. Usually, you’ll only be able to have laser eye surgery if you:
are over 18
are in good general health
have healthy eyes
have had a stable prescription (very little change in your eyesight) for the last two years Laser eye surgery usually works best within a given prescription range. Your eye surgeon will check if you’re suitable. There may sometimes be reasons why laser eye surgery isn’t best for you. Your surgeon (ophthalmologist) will discuss these with you.
How long does laser eye surgery take?
The laser will only be on each of your eyes for a few seconds, although it’s likely that you will be in the treatment room for approximately 20 minutes. Overall, you should expect to be at the clinic for around four hours on the day of your laser eye procedure, as you will talk with our optometrists and advisors as well as discuss post-surgery medication.
Steps Involved In Lasik Eye Surgery
If you are considering Lasik eye surgery, you must understand the steps involved. Here is a brief overview of the steps involved in a typical Lasik eye surgery:
Consultation: The first step is to consult an ophthalmologist to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik. During the consultation, your doctor will evaluate your eyes and go over the procedure’s risks, benefits, and potential outcomes.
Preoperative Preparation: Before the surgery, your eye doctor will need to clean and prepare your eyes. This includes administering eye drops to dilate your pupils and cleaning the area around your eyes with a unique solution.
Creating the Corneal Flap: The next step is to create a thin flap in the outer layer of your cornea. This is usually done with a laser or a surgical blade. The flap is then retracted to reveal the underlying cornea.
Reshaping the Cornea: The cornea will be reshaped using an excimer laser. The laser is programmed with detailed information about your eye, including the amount of tissue that needs to be removed to correct your vision.
Closing the Corneal Flap: Once the cornea is reshaped, the flap is carefully put back into place. It is then secured with a special adhesive.
Postoperative Care: After the procedure, your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to help manage pain or discomfort. You may also need to wear protective eyewear for a few days to prevent infection.
Lasik eye surgery is generally a safe and effective procedure. However, discussing the potential risks and benefits with your eye doctor before undergoing this procedure is important.
Advantages of Lasik Eye Surgery
Lasik eye surgery is a revolutionary procedure that can help people with vision problems achieve better vision with fewer risks and complications. It has become one of the most popular elective procedures today, and for a good reason. Here are some of the advantages of Lasik eye surgery:
Quick Treatment – Lasik eye surgery is a quick and relatively painless procedure. Most procedures last around 15 minutes.
Immediate Results – Lasik eye surgery results can be seen immediately, and it has a high success rate.
Cost-Effective – Lasik eye surgery is an affordable, cost-effective solution to vision problems. It can save patients money in the long run by eliminating the need for glasses or contacts.
Low Risk – Lasik eye surgery is a highly safe procedure with very low risks of complications.
Improved Vision – Lasik eye surgery can help improve vision and reduce the need for glasses or contacts.
Long-Lasting Results – Lasik eye surgery results can last for years, eliminating the need for future procedures.
If you are considering Lasik eye surgery, you must consult an experienced ophthalmologist to discuss the risks and benefits. It can be a life-changing experience with the right doctor and the proper procedure.
Is laser eye surgery permanent?
In most cases, laser eye correction is permanent. It will not, however, eliminate age-related changes – the majority of people are likely to need reading glasses from their 40s onwards, and cataracts can still form in later life.
How does laser eye surgery work?
Depending on the laser eye treatment deemed suitable, a thin layer is gently lifted away from the surface of the eye so the laser can access the layer below and correct the prescription with pinpoint accuracy. The layer is then carefully set back in place, and sometimes protected with a clear bandage contact lens for 3-5 days while the eye naturally heals. All this is carried out using bladeless laser technology to eliminate potential complications and improve the results for every patient we treat.
What happens after laser eye surgery?
You’ll be able to go home when you’re ready, but you’ll need someone to drive you. Your surgeon may recommend that you wear a protective plastic shield over your eyes at night for the first week or so. You’ll be prescribed eye drops containing antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines to help your eyes to heal, and artificial tears to keep them comfortable.
Make sure you use these as directed, and follow all the advice from your surgeon. Recovery time depends on the Surgery you’ve had. You may be able to return to work and drive the day after LASIK, but it may take a few weeks with other procedures.
What are side-effects of laser eye surgery?
Most people get some mild side-effects after surgery. These usually improve over time, although occasionally they may not go away completely. They include:
dry eyes
hazy or blurry vision
glare or halo effects – especially when driving at night
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