How Laser Eye Surgery Works and Improves Your Vision
Laser eye surgery is about reshaping your cornea to correct the problem of short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism.
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ToggleDifferent kinds of laser eye surgery
All laser eye surgeries will deliver similar results to improve your vision. The difference that lies between them is the recovery period and time off work.
Your eye surgeon will discuss about each procedure in more details at the initial consultation. Then he will give advice on the right procedure that has been suited to fulfill your requirements.
LASIK
This is the commonly performed laser eye treatment. In case of LASIK procedure, there were two different kinds of laser being used. Firstly, there is a femtosecond laser that forms a thin and protective layer with a 3D pattern of small gas bubbles through your corneal tissue. This layer will then be lifted back by your eye surgeon before an excimer laser tries to reshape cornea for improving your eyesight. After this, the protective flap gets replaced for completing the procedure.
The cell layer of the surface begins to heal around the flap’s edge and the vision starts improving by the next 3 to 6 hours. Once the surgery is done, most people will be able to see clearly while working and driving.
LASEK and TransPRK surface laser treatment
Surface laser treatments can be done directly beneath the skin layer of your cornea. This can be removed by the surgeon (LASEK) or the laser (TransPRK) before correcting your eyesight. The visual recovery is slower when compared to LASIK eye surgery as it requires skin layer to grow back within a few days and smooth off by few weeks. Surface laser treatments are usually considered to be best possible option for patients who have thin corneas.
After the surface cell layer gets healed, your eyesight begins to improve and reaches the driving standard within 1 to 4 weeks after LASEK or TransPRK eye surgery, based on your case. Most patients will have to take at least one week off from their work after the surgery.
Who is the right candidate for a laser eye surgery?
During the first appointment, your eye specialist will discuss about the suitable laser eye surgery treatment to correct your vision that will fulfill your need. The following guide can help to know your eligibility criteria.
- You need to be at least 18 years and the eyes should be healthy.
- You should not conceive or engage in nursing activities as such conditions can change the refraction of your eye.
- You need to wait for three months after you breastfeed to go for a consultation.
- You should not take certain prescription drugs, as suggested by your eye surgeon.
- You need to have good health condition as this surgery might not be suggested for patients who suffer from diabetes, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, cataracts or herpes infections of your eye.
It is advised that you consult with your eye surgeon if:
- You have he problem of long-sighted and the prescription is up to +3 to +4.
- You suffer from short-sighted and the prescription seems to be up to -10 to -11.
- You face astigmatism and the prescription remains up to -6D.
How safe is laser eye surgery?
There might be serious complications following laser eye surgery though it seems to be rare. Few patients may need to undergo further surgery for replacing damaged tissue into the cornea.
Despite the latest advancements, all eye surgery has some risks of complications. But most of these problems can be fixed and so, putting your contact lenses seems to be a great alternative to laser vision correction for patients. But it is not completely risk free and 1 in 1000 people who wear the lenses may develop serious corneal infection.
Your eye surgeon will be discussing about any possible risks with you before you decide to proceed ahead with the surgery.
How long will laser eye surgery last?
Laser eye surgery in London will give you the feeling of complete freedom from wearing your contact lenses and eye glasses. But there can be natural changes in the prescription that may take place during the lifetime. There can also be repeated treatment options for patients of any age group who suffer from some changes in their eyesight following the surgery. You need to talk to an eye surgeon who will discuss these with you at the consultation session.
Will laser eye surgery hurt?
For all kinds of laser eye surgery, you will be given anaesthetic drops to numb the eye completely. You may experience some kind of pressure for almost 30 to 40 seconds on their eye at the time of performing SMILE or LASER surgery. This usually takes place when the SMILE lenticule or LASIK flap has been formed. They may even suffer from mild discomfort for almost 4 to 6 hours post the surgery.
If you are extremely worried about the surgery, then you may take a sedative tablet to ease the discomfort.
How much time will it take for laser eye surgery to take place?
Laser eye surgery is indeed a quick process that requires almost 10 to 15 minutes for both the eyes.
How much time will it require to recover completely from laser surgery?
It requires nearly 3 to 6 hours for surface cell layer on your eyes to begin with the healing process and for eyesight to improve following LASIK eye surgery. Most people will be able to get back to their work and drive after their surgery.
Both LASEK and TransPRK surgeries require longer time period to recover completely. The patients will need almost 1 to 4 weeks for their eyesight to get back to driving after the surgery. Most people need at least one week to recover before returning to work from this kind of surgery. Thus, you need to contact Optimal Vision to book an initial consultation with your eye surgery specialist and know whether you can perform the surgery to improve your vision.
Alice Christina, a seasoned health writer, combines her passion for wellness with a strong foundation in evidence-based research. She crafts insightful content that empowers readers to make informed health decisions. Alice's expertise shines through her concise and reliable health articles.
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