The Pros and Cons of Laser Eye Surgery
Regardless of age or gender, maintaining healthy eyesight is a priority for virtually everyone in the world today. From enjoying the natural beauty of the earth to spending time with loved ones, our eyes are one of the most precious features of our bodies.
Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for certain individuals to suffer from poor eyesight. While useful inventions like contacts and glasses have been used for years, many are interested in other, more convenient solutions for returning their vision to normal.
Of these, Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery is one of the most popular, with hundreds of thousands of operations occurring each year — and the number is only growing. If you’re one of the many interested in this state-of-the-art surgery, you most likely have a few concerns.
We’re here to help; stay tuned as we walk you through everything you need to know about laser eye surgery.
Laser Eye Surgery: A Brief Rundown
When all is said and done, undergoing LASIK is quite a simple process. Expect your surgeon to follow the steps listed below:
- First, you will receive eye drops to numb your eyes. Once you’ve lost feeling, the surgeon will gently hold your eyelids open with a medical instrumental.
- After focusing your eyes on a special light, the surgeon will fold away the corneal flap on your eye, exposing the centre layer of your cornea.
- Using an excimer laser, the surgeon will begin to reshape your cornea according to your needs.
- Once the reshaping is completed, the corneal flap is returned to its original position and immediately begins the healing process.
- Most patients are able to return to their everyday routines within 24 hours. However, it's recommended you take certain precautions to limit irritation — like wearing sunglasses while you sleep to avoid accidentally rubbing your eyes in the night.
Laser Eye Surgery: The Pros and Cons
LASIK is an attractive option for anyone who has worn glasses or contacts their entire life. With that being said, individuals considering the operation should still know about the pros and cons that come with this decision.
Pros
- No anaesthesia is required for the operation. Most surgeries last no longer than 20 minutes.
- The process is entirely safe. For instance, if you accidentally move your eyes when the laser is activated, it will automatically shut off to prevent damage.
- Side effects are only experienced by 10 percent of patients, with symptoms lasting no longer than three months.
- The majority of patients regain 20/20 vision after just one surgery.
- Recovery time is rapid compared to other major medical operations.
Cons
- Individuals younger than 20 and older than 40 are not recommended to undergo treatment.
- Accidentally irritating your corneal flap during the healing process could cause vision problems or extreme discomfort.
- Though rare, side effects include dry eyes, itchiness, hazy or blurry vision, light sensitivity and discomfort.
- Some individuals may still need further correction after their LASIK surgery. If so, a second procedure is necessary.
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