Mevish Jaffer
In today’s modern world of technological advances, prescription eye glasses and contact lenses are no longer the only remedies used to correct an individual’s eyesight. In fact, many people have begun to discover that the latest method for permanent vision correction can be achieved through laser eye surgery.
Laser Eye Surgery Procedure Overview
Laser technology has come a long way since its initial conception in the 1960’s. Today, thousands of laser vision correction procedures are performed on a daily basis. More commonly referred to as Lasik eye surgery, Lasik vision correction, or Lasik plus, the process mainly entails changing the shape of the cornea and improving the eye’s ability to focus. This eliminates the need for individuals to continue wearing glasses or contacts and restores their 20/20 vision.
Lasik eye surgery or Laser In-Keratomileusis is usually performed by certified practioners, such as an ophthalmologist. Most patients appreciate the fact that the laser eye surgery is not painful and only requires a minimal recovery period. Lasik eye surgery patients are typically awake during the vision correction procedure. Although the eyes must be anesthetized with drops, the eye lids are artificially held open during the entire process.
The latest device used to perform this type of eye surgery is IntraLase. This cutting-edge piece of technology allows doctors to utilize a new blade-free laser when performing the first step in the Lasik vision correction procedure.
Procedure Benefits
There are several benefits associated with Lasik eye surgery, which is why it is continuing to gain in popularity among the masses as a primary solution for vision correction. The following are a few advantages patients are able to benefit from when undergoing laser eye surgery:
- Immediate restored vision
- Reduced astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness
- Eliminates the hassles involved with glasses and contact lenses
- Vision correction is permanent
Potential Risks and Side Effects
As with any other type of surgical procedure, there are also a few potential risks involved with laser eye surgery. For example, patients should be aware of the following risk factors, which can sometimes be associated with Lasik eye surgery:
- Improper vision correction
- Induced astigmatism
- Loss of vision lines
- Excessive dryness in the eyes
- Glares & halos
Regardless of the potential risks caused by Lasik eye surgery, many individuals still prefer this type of permanent vision correction procedure over conventional methods of eye repair. However, because laser technology is still considered fairly new in the market, the long-term side effects of the procedure remain unknown. For individuals who are tired of wearing glasses or inserting contact lenses on a daily basis, Lasik eye surgery can be the perfect solution for restoring their vision.
Recovery Time
While there is potential for damage to the eyes, many people tend to feel that the benefits associated with laser eye surgery far outweigh the risks. One of the biggest perks associated with Lasik eye surgery is the speedy recovery time. Patients are typically able to resume their daily activities, which includes going back to work, immediately. This is because the laser eye surgery process itself takes minutes rather than hours to complete.
The recovery period for most Lasik eye surgery patients is usually 48 hours, although many doctors often recommend an additional two days of rest. Once the process is completed, patients are required to dawn special glasses for a certain period of time, which act as a shield on their eyes in order to prevent infections from occurring. It’s also extremely important for patients to avoid itching their eyes during the recovery period.
[page updated December 2008]