How Does Laser Eye Surgery Affect the Eyes
Laser eye surgery is also known as refractive eye surgery or vision repair surgery. In fact, it does exactly that, it repairs your vision. Of late, there has been tremendous advancement in the technology of laser eye surgery. It has caused more and more people to see objects better. Laser eye surgery works by reshaping your cornea, allowing improved focus on the retina of the eye.
Laser eye surgery has been used increasingly over the last decade for correction of certain eye defects. It has caught the fancy of people, but it affects different people differently. Before deciding to go for laser eye surgery, you should consider all aspects of it, both positive and negative.
Laser Eye Surgery and You
Laser eye surgery corrects vision problems, such as Myopia (nearsightedness), where you can see things that are near, but not objects that are far; Hyperopia (farsightedness), where you see objects that are far, but not those that are near; and Astigmatism, where irregularities in the cornea distort images on the retina of the eye. The laser surgery procedure negates the need for, or reduces the dependency on, glasses and contact lenses to correct vision.
There are two basic types of laser eye surgeries – LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). People are increasingly opting for LASIK as it is less painful and has a short recovery time. There is a third type of laser eye surgery – LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis), which combines the positives of both LASIK and PRK. Unlike LASIK and PRK, there is no cutting of the eye, but an epitheal flap is created by a 20% alcohol solution.
Laser eye surgery cures your eye by improving your Myopia, Hyperopia, or Astigmatism. In some cases, it may not bring back your 20/20 vision, but it certainly reduces your dependency on glasses and contact lenses in most cases. Unfortunately, laser eye surgery can affect some people adversely too.
Laser eye surgery is contra-indicated for people suffering from cataracts, arthritis, diabetes, glaucoma, and lupus, and pregnant women. Else, it can cause permanent damage to your vision. Laser eye surgery can cause double vision, halo, glare, it can affect your nighttime vision, cause permanant blurry vision and diminished contrast.
Dry eye is another outcome of laser eye surgery. If you already are suffering from dry eyes, surgery will further aggravate the condition. Your eyes will no longer produce tears.
It is always advisable to consult your ophthalmologist to find out how laser eye surgery will affect your eyes.
Filed Under LASIK & Eye Surgery