Laser eye surgery is a safe, effective treatment for nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). The treatment corrects the shape of the cornea so light rays are focused directly onto the retina at the back of the eye, rather than in front of or behind it.
LASIK is the most common form of laser refractive surgery and is a popular choice for many people. It’s a very quick procedure that involves making a small flap in your cornea, which is then folded back and reshaped with a laser using pulses of energy to change the surface of the cornea.
PRK is another variation of LASIK that uses the same type of laser as LASIK, but the laser is used to reshape the surface of the cornea instead of making a flap. The surface is reshaped by using lasers to remove or vaporise small amounts of tissue that are close to the edge of the cornea.
Other types of laser surgery include the femtosecond laser, or SMILE; and surface ablation with an excimer laser, or SALAS. Other methods may be used, depending on the specific condition you have and the treatment your doctor chooses.
The femtosecond https://eyelasersurgeryvancouver.ca can be used to make an internal lenticule of tissue in your cornea that is then separated from the surrounding tissues with a spatula, and pulled out through a small incision. This procedure can be done quickly and safely, without requiring the surgeon to leave the treatment room.
There are several other methods of treating certain conditions, such as a blood leak in your retina, an abnormality in your eye’s blood vessels, or a cataract. These techniques are often called ‘focal laser’ procedures and are performed by an ophthalmologist with training in these advanced techniques.
Some people may have a temporary loss of vision after LASIK or other laser eye surgery procedures. This is a normal part of the healing process and should resolve within a few days. If this happens, your doctor will be able to identify the cause and recommend an alternative method of treatment, such as eye drops or medication.
In the short term, most people notice a significant improvement in their vision after LASIK or other eye laser surgery. However, there is a risk that your vision will gradually worsen as the effects of age and other medical conditions take effect.
You should contact your doctor if you experience any changes in your vision after LASIK or other eye surgery procedures, including difficulty focusing on distant objects, glare, or haloes or rings of fuzzy light around lights. This may be a sign of a deeper problem in your eyes, such as an infection or an underlying eye disease.
Dry eyes: This is a very common side effect of laser eye surgery and should improve after lubricating eye drops are taken. It can also be treated with antibiotics or other medication, but it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Double or blurry vision: This is less common and can be due to a reaction to anesthesia, but it’s worth reporting any problems with your vision to your doctor so they can be resolved.