Common eye conditions such as myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism are all easily treated through laser eye operation. To understand what laser eye surgery is and how it works, we first need to understand the anatomy of the human eye.
Our eyesight depends on the cornea, the translucent portion of the eye that protects the iris and pupil while allowing light to pass through. The cornea is the term for the corneal layer of the eye. Some people’s corneas can alter their shape, which can cause vision problems, including astigmatism and myopia. This layer is reshaped using a medical treatment called laser eye surgery.
Laser eye operation can treat vision problems, including near-sightedness and farsightedness. LASIK eye surgery is the most popular and well-known laser refractive procedure to treat vision issues. To enhance vision, a specialised cutting laser is used during LASIK surgery to accurately alter the shape of the cornea, the dome-shaped transparent tissue at the front of the eye.
Types of Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye operation involves using lasers to reshape the cornea of the patient’s eyes so they can focus better. Laser eye operation can cure short-sightedness, farsightedness and even astigmatism. There are 3 different types of laser eye operation: LASIK, SMILE and surface laser treatment.
- LASIK: LASIK eye surgery includes opening the thin flap on the cornea’s surface and using lasers to reshape the cornea underneath. Once this procedure is completed, the thing flap is placed back in its place where it stays and heals without stitches.
- SMILE: SMILE eye procedure involves the same reshaping of the cornea as LASIK but what’s different is, instead of cutting open a flap, SMILE involves making a small self-healing hole through which the cornea is reshaped.
- Surface Laser Treatment: In this type of laser surgery, the thin covering over the cornea is completely removed, and then the surgeon will reshape your cornea using lasers. This skin then grows back naturally.
Patients can choose from either of these surgeries to correct their visions. All three of these surgeries yield, more or less, the same results. A qualified surgeon will walk you through the options available and help you decide as per your situation.
Risks and Recovery with Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery usually involves no risk, provided the patients get it done at a reputable and well-known place by registered practitioners. But there may be some cases in which there is a potential risk of developing side effects; these side effects can be :
- Dry eyes: many people may experience dry eyes after their laser surgery appointment. This is because the eyes produce fewer tears immediately after a laser eye treatment. This condition can be treated using lubricating eye drops.
- Glare: In some cases, people might also experience changes in their vision, including glare, halo or sensitivity to light.
- Blurry vision: In rare cases, people also complain of blurry visions after their laser eye treatment.
As far as post-op recovery is concerned, it is different in all three different laser eye operations. For contoura, Lasik surgery takes somewhere around three to four weeks to fully recover, whereas surface laser treatment may take as long as one to three months to recover fully. SMILE eye surgery, one of the latest types of eye surgery, has the fastest recovery rate of three days to one week.
Book Your Appointment at Dr Agarwal’s
Healthy vision is vital for people to function in their daily lives. There are temporary solutions for people with myopia or hypermetropia, like glasses and contact lenses, but their inconvenience makes people scout for permanent solutions.
One such permanent treatment is laser eye operations. It has become increasingly safe and easily available for people. When looking for places to consult, look for top-notch medical facilities and doctors. Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital offers a range of eye treatments, including laser eye treatments from some of the best doctors in India. They have been at the forefront of innovation by offering treatments for eye diseases like squint, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and more.
Visit their official website to learn more.
Photo by Harpreet Singh on Unsplash
