Laser eye surgery can help people see better without glasses or contact lenses. But how effective is laser eye surgery? This article will explain what laser eye surgery is, how it works, and how it can help you. We will also discuss how good it is and what to expect before and after the surgery.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a treatment that uses a laser to change the shape of the front part of your eye, called the cornea. The goal is to fix vision problems. These issues can be:
- Short-sightedness (when you can’t see far)
- Long-sightedness (when you can’t see close)
- Astigmatism (when your vision is blurry)
Laser eye treatments help you see better without needing glasses or contact lenses.
How Effective Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is very good for many people. After the surgery, people should see much better; some can see 20/20, which is normal vision. But not everyone has the same result. Some people may need a little more time to heal or may need another treatment.
Types Of Laser Eye Surgery
There are a few types of laser eye surgeries. Here are the most common ones:
LASIK Surgery
LASIK eye surgery is the most popular kind. It uses an excimer laser to adjust the shape of the cornea. This helps light focus better on the back of the eye, called the retina, so you can see better. People may recover soon after this surgical procedure. It works well for people with short-sightedness or astigmatism.
PRK Surgery
PRK surgery is like LASIK, but it’s a little different. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea is removed, then the laser reshapes the eye. The recovery takes a little longer but can be as effective as LASIK. PRK is good for people who don’t have a thick cornea.
SMILE Surgery
SMILE surgery is newer. It also uses a laser to reshape the cornea. Yet, the main difference is that it makes a very small cut. SMILE can be good for people who want a quicker recovery and less risk of problems.
PRESBYOND Surgery
If you are over 40, you might have trouble seeing things up close, like reading a book. This happens because your eye loses its ability to focus on close objects. We call this condition “presbyopia.” PRESBYOND is a laser eye surgery that helps fix this problem. It can let you see well both far away and up close.
What Are The Main Benefits Of Laser Eye Treatment?
There are many good reasons to think about getting laser eye surgery. It can help you see better and live more comfortably. Here are some of the main benefits:
Better Vision
After surgery, your vision should become clearer. Plus, you might not need glasses or contact lenses anymore. This can help you see things far away or up close without squinting or struggling to see.
No More Visual Aids
One of the best things about laser eye surgery is that you might no longer need to wear glasses or contact lenses. Some people have worn glasses their whole lives, and the idea of not needing them is very exciting! After surgery, you can enjoy activities without your glasses or contact lenses.
Quick Recovery
People should feel better soon after having laser eye surgery. Many patients can go back to their normal activities in just a few days. Your eyes might feel slightly sore or blurry right after the surgery, but this goes away soon. You might need to rest your eyes and use eye drops for a few days, but most people can see clearly within a short time.
Lasting Results
Once you have the surgery, your vision can stay better for a long time. Many people don’t need to wear glasses or contact lenses after the surgery, and their vision stays good. The results are long-lasting for many people, so you can enjoy clearer vision for many years. Even if you need a small touch-up later on, laser eye surgery usually gives you good results for a long time.
What Are the Risks Of Laser Surgery?
Vision correction procedures have helped many people see better. But, like all medical treatments, they come with some risks. Knowing these risks is important to make the best choice for your eyes. Here are some of the risks to think about:
Infection
After surgery, there’s a small chance your eye could get an infection. This is rare, but it can happen. Your eye doctor will give you specific eye drops to help keep your eyes clean and lower the risk of infection. It’s very important to follow all the care instructions your doctor gives you.
Dry Eyes
Some people notice that their eyes feel dry after the surgery. This can make them feel a bit scratchy or uncomfortable. Dry eyes are common, but your doctor will give you eye drops to help keep them moist. People should get better as their eyes heal.
Blurred Vision Or Light Sensitivity
Sometimes, people might notice that their vision is slightly blurry after surgery. Others may feel they are more sensitive to light, especially at night. You might see halos around lights or glare. This usually gets better as your eyes heal, but it’s something to remember.
Results May Not Be Perfect
In some cases, the surgery may not fully perfect your vision. It’s true that many people don’t need glasses or contact lenses after laser eye surgery. Yet, some might still need them for certain tasks, like reading or driving. If your vision isn’t clear, your doctor might talk to you about another treatment to fine-tune the results.
Changes Over Time
Even if your vision is great right after the surgery, it can change later. This can happen naturally as your eyes age. For example, you might still need reading glasses for close-up work as you get older. Laser eye surgery doesn’t stop natural changes like this.
Rare Complications
Though rare, some people experience difficulty healing or problems with their corneal tissue. This is why it is important to have the surgery done by a qualified health practitioner. A skilled eye doctor can help lower these risks.
What Happens Before, During, And After Laser Refractive Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a simple and fast process. Each eye usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Many people find it exciting to see how quickly their vision can improve. Let’s look at what happens before, during, and after the surgery:
Before The Surgery
Before your surgery, you’ll visit the eye doctor for a check-up. During this visit, the eye doctor will need to check your eyes’ health to ensure that laser eye surgery is a good choice. They might use advanced machines to measure your eyes and check your vision.
If you have contact lenses on, your eye doctor might tell you to stop wearing them for a few weeks before your check-up. This is because:
- Contact lenses can modify the natural shape of your cornea
- The doctor needs to see your natural eye shape
The doctor will also discuss the surgery with you, answer your questions, and explain what to look forward to. This is a great time to share any concerns you might have.
During The Surgery
When it’s time for your surgery, you’ll lie down in a comfortable chair. The steps are simple and quick:
- Numbing Drops: The doctor will put eye drops in your eyes. These drops numb your eyes so you won’t feel severe pain during the surgery. You might feel a little pressure, but it won’t hurt.
- Keeping Your Eye Open: The doctor gently holds your eyelids open with a small tool. Don’t worry; you won’t need to keep your eyes open by yourself!
- Laser Treatment: The doctor uses a laser to reshape your cornea. This helps fix how light enters your eye so you can see better. The laser works fast, and you might hear a clicking sound while it does its job. You may also see a bright light, but this is normal.
- Quick Finish: The whole process is very fast! Each eye only takes a few minutes. Once it’s done, the doctor will check your eye to ensure everything looks good. Then, you’re free to go home the same day.
After The Surgery
After your surgery, your eyes might feel scratchy, watery, or blurry. This is normal and will get better in a few hours or days as your eyes heal. Here’s what happens next:
- Healing Drops: Your doctor will give you eye drops to help your eyes recover and stay comfortable. It’s very important to use these drops as instructed.
- Resting Your Eyes: You must rest for a day or two. Avoid rubbing your eyes, and try not to do things like swimming or playing sports right away.
- Follow-Up Visits: Your doctor will plan follow-up visits to check your progress. These visits help ensure your eyes are healing properly and your vision is improving.
- Returning To Activities: Most people can go back to their normal activities in just a few days. You’ll need to protect your eyes from bright light, so sunglasses can be very helpful during this time.
Is Laser Eye Surgery Right for You?
Laser eye surgery works well for most people, but it might not be the best choice for everyone. Some things that can affect whether laser eye surgery is right for you include:
- Your age
- The health of your eyes
- The type of vision problem you have
Talking to an eye doctor will help you decide if laser eye surgery is right for you.
How Long Does It Take To Recover?
Most people can go back to their normal activities in a few days. Yet, your vision can take a few weeks to feel completely normal. Following the doctor’s instructions and caring for your eyes as they heal is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does laser eye surgery cost?
The cost of a laser eye surgery procedure can differ depending on where you are and what kind of surgery you need. It’s a good idea to ask a clinic for a price estimate.
Can I go back to work right after the surgery?
Most people must rest for at least a day or two before returning to work. Your doctor will give you advice based on your recovery.
Can laser eye surgery fix all vision problems?
Laser eye surgery works well for many types of vision problems. Yet, it may not be suitable for everyone. Your doctor will discuss the best options for your specific needs.
What should I avoid after the surgery?
Avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, or engaging in strenuous activities for a few weeks. This will help your eyes heal properly. You should also not wear contact lenses for a good while.
Can I drive after laser eye surgery?
You shouldn’t drive right after the surgery because your vision may be blurry. Once your doctor confirms your vision has improved, you can start driving again.
Conclusion
Laser eye surgery can make life much easier. It helps you see clearly without needing glasses or contact lenses. People should feel very happy after the surgery because they can enjoy better vision.
You won’t have to worry about losing your glasses or putting in contact lenses daily. You can read, play sports, or go swimming without needing extra help to see. Life can feel simpler and more fun.
Your doctor will tell you if it’s a good choice for you. They can also explain the steps of the surgery and how to take care of your eyes afterwards.
Laser eye surgery is a great way to improve your vision and feel more free. It’s a chance to enjoy life without always needing glasses or contact lenses. Take the first step and ask your doctor if laser eye surgery is right for you!
Do you want to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses? Laser eye surgery could be the answer!
Call Dr Anton Van Heerden today at 03 9000 0389 to book a visit in Melbourne. He’ll check your eyes, answer your questions, and help you decide if laser eye surgery suits you.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sources:
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Cleveland Clinic 2023. SMILE Eye Surgery. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25076-smile-eye-surgery [Accessed November 26, 2024]
Meštrović T 2023. LASIK Complications. News-Medical. Available at: https://www.news-medical.net/health/LASIK-Complications.aspx [Accessed November 26, 2024]
Schantz-Feld M 2023. How Long Does LASIK Surgery Last? Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-does-lasik-last-5090173 [Accessed November 26, 2024]
Zimlich R 2022. Laser Eye Surgery: What You Should Know. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/laser-eye-surgery [Accessed November 26, 2024]
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