If you have problems with your eye sight – either short or long-sightedness – laser eye surgery could transform your life for the better. It has become a very popular procedure across the entire world, and one that is relatively quick and simple. It can be done in a very short time and does not require an overnight hospital stay.
So what does it involve? The first step is to have a consultation with your consultant to make sure you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. The procedure itself begins with local anesthetic drops being placed in the eye that is to be treated. Next, a flap is cut in the cornea with a knife. One end of the flap is left with a hinge, and it is folded back to expose the center of the cornea. A section of the cornea center is vaporised with laser pulses, then the flap is reattached.
This laser changes the shape of the cornea for good to correct vision problems. If the cornea is too highly curved, a person is said to be short-sighted. If the cornea is too flat, a person is long-sighted.
Both eyes can be treated on the same day, but many consultants will recommend leaving a short time between eyes, because an eye patch is normally worn over the treated eye for at least 24 hours, and treating both eyes at once increases the risk of cross contamination.
As with all surgical procedures, there are certain risks you should be aware of. Although it is said that less than five percent of patients experience complications, you should know the possible risks before you go ahead with the surgery. Your eyes may be dry for a few months following the procedure, and in the long term it might be necessary to use artificial tear supplements. It is very rare to suffer from loss of vision, although it has happened in a few cases. It is more likely that you may suffer from glare when driving at night time, particularly immediately after treatment.
Laser eye surgery is available at many clinics and the cost varies depending on the experience of qualifications of the surgeon. You can expect to pay up to $4,000 per eye for this procedure. It is important that you check the credentials of the surgeon and are completely happy with the information provided prior to the procedure.
This procedure does not normally have a serious impact on your daily life. The vast majority of patients return to work after only a few days. Your surgeon will advise you on driving; in some cases driving is not recommended for up to two weeks. For the first few months after the surgery, tinted glasses with complete UV protection are required.
This surgery has improved the quality of life for millions of people all over the world, many of whom doubted that they would ever be able to live a life without glasses. If you can relate to this, it is well worth considering the procedure for yourself.