Laser Eye Surgery

There are 2 main methods of laser eye surgery used today:

1. LASIK Laser Eye Surgery
2. PRK Laser Eye Surgery

The major difference between the two surgeries is the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is exposed before it is vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is scraped away to expose the stromal layer underneath. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and the flap is folded back.

This guide provides an overview of laser eye surgery, including possible complications of treatment.

An informed decision

The point of this guide to laser eye surgery is to make sure that you are able to make an informed decision when it comes to treatment. This is a procedure that can have a dramatic effect on your life and is therefore something that should not be taken lightly. Thanks to advances in technology conditions like short and long-sightedness are no longer permanent, and improved vision is not merely a blur in the distance. But still, this is a big step to take and you need to make sure that you know what you are getting yourself into before you decide to go ahead with treatment. By providing a thorough and comprehensive guide to laser eye surgery, we aim to answer all your questions and make sure that your decision is both informed and to your benefit.

How can laser eye surgery benefit me?

Laser eye surgery is a procedure that is becoming increasingly popular. This is in no small part thanks to improved technology which has made the procedure safer, as well as increased understanding of how the treatment can benefit those with conditions related to the eye, whether it be long or short-sightedness or other recognised conditions. There are those who are happy to abide with glasses or contact lenses, while on the other hand there are those who would rather feel the benefits of laser eye surgery, of which there are many:

• Laser eye surgery eliminates the risks associated with wearing contact lenses, such as possible infections or abrasions.
• Driving can become a much easier practice if you have previously required driving glasses.
• In general, you will notice a significant difference to the way you go about your daily life. When you awake, for example, you will not need to begin a search for your glasses on the bedside table, or, if you wear contact lenses, you will not have to spend time putting them in.
• If you don’t like the idea of touching your eyes, as required when putting in contact lenses, then laser eye surgery is a way to eradicate this problem
• You don’t need to worry about your contact lenses falling out when playing sports or partaking in other activities. Or, if you wear glasses you will no longer need to be anxious about them falling off and getting trampled on.
• You only need to think about the savings you will make if you choose to go ahead with laser eye surgery to see how beneficial it truly is, as you will no longer need to buy new glasses or frames, or contact lenses. What’s more, the need for an eye examination is all but eradicated in most cases.
• The nuisance of having your glasses steam up can be forgotten.
• Laser eye surgery is a great option for those who find it uncomfortable when wearing glasses or contact lenses.
• You can enjoy the company of your children more now that you no longer need to worry about them breaking your glasses by accident.
• You won’t need to clean away specks of dirt from your glasses.
• Perhaps most importantly, you will feel more confident in yourself. This treatment can have a tremendous effect on your personal and social life for the better.
• The problem of tired eyes for those wearing glasses or dry lens for those who wear contact lenses can be greatly reduced or even completely eradicated if you go ahead with treatment.

Choosing the right treatment for you

Part of the emphasis of this guide to laser eye surgery is to give you an extensive knowledge of the different types of laser eye surgery treatments available. This is to ensure that you know which treatment is best for you, which in turn will make searching around for a practice much easier in the long run. It is also essential to know the ins and outs of laser eye surgery treatments, in order to make sure that you do not go into treatment unaware of important matters such as potential risks and costs. This guide is here to help make your decision an easier one.

Are you suitable for laser eye surgery?

Whether or not you are suitable for laser eye surgery will come down to various factors, each of which is explored in greater detail within this guide. Listed below are some of the main factors that you should be aware of when considering laser eye surgery:

• The age at which clinics will treat you can be different, though in general you need to be 21 years old or more.
• Pregnancy - If you are expecting a baby then laser eye surgery is unfortunately not an option.
• The severity of your refractive error will play a part in whether or not you can have treatment.
• Participation in sports such as boxing may make you an unlikely candidate for treatment.
• Careers such as the police are currently opposed to allowing its employees this treatment.
• Some medical conditions and medications will also make you an unlikely candidate.