Laser Eye Surgery
Many people who are using glasses may get bored of this situation after a while or they may think that wearing glasses negatively affects their comfort. Active life can be an obstacle to the use of glasses and contact lenses, or people may not want to deal with glasses or contact lenses all the time. In this case, eye-drawing surgeries, that is, refractive surgery, come to the fore among the public.
What is laser eye surgery?
Using prescription glasses or contact lenses for various reasons can give a feeling of boredom over the years. People may want to stop using glasses or contact lenses for physical or emotional reasons. For this reason, the procedures that save the person from wearing glasses and achieve distance and near vision without glasses with a laser or a different surgical intervention are called refractive surgery in the medical language.
In which diseases laser eye surgery used?
There is no such method as laser eye surgery. The procedures applied to get rid of glasses are in the class of refractive surgery and they do not treat the eye by scratching. In general, laser eye surgery is best suited for people with moderate refractive errors and no unusual vision problems. This type of surgery can be applied to people with low and moderate myopia, astigmatism or hyperopia.
How is laser eye surgery applied?
Thanks to technology, everyone can recover from glasses in many different ways, but patient selection is very important in these procedures. It is necessary to evaluate and recommend these treatments to patients who are very unlikely to be harmed by this surgery, even those who are not likely to be harmed and will be very satisfied after the surgery.
It is important to ensure that patients with a high probability of dissatisfaction after the procedure continue with their lives, such as glasses and contact lenses. Because forced procedures can cause very distressing situations for both the patient and the physician.
There are many methods in refractive surgery. There are methods such as excimer laser, femtolasic, Phakic Iol implantation, clear refractive lens replacement, astigmatic keratotomy. The determination of these methods varies from patient to patient.
The eye surgeon will ask detailed questions about the patient’s eye health and will evaluate their eyes to make sure there are no conditions that could lead to complications or poor results of the surgery. These include:
- An eye disease such as keratoconus that results in thinning of the cornea and progressive deterioration of vision. In fact, if you have keratoconus in your family, be very careful about elective eye surgery, even if you don’t.
- Inflammation (such as keratitis or uveitis) and infections (such as herpes simplex) affecting the eye.
- Eye injuries or eyelid disorders.
- Dry eyes. If you have dry eyes, it’s important to know that LASIK surgery can make the condition worse.
- Glaucoma. The surgical procedure can raise your eye pressure, which can make glaucoma worse.
- Cataract.
In addition, the eye surgeon also questions general health problems. The doctor will definitely question the rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, HIV and other autoimmune problems that affect the immune system. Taking a drug that suppresses the immune system and uncontrolled diabetes problems are also points that should be known in laser surgeries.
If you are near-sighted, the degree of myopia can vary over the years. This means periodic replacement of glasses and contact lenses. It is important to be 18 years old for refractive surgery. In some cases, for example, the use of certain drugs, in the case of pregnancy, there may be a change in vision. Therefore, stabilization of vision is important for this type of surgery. After all eye examinations and evaluations, the eye surgeon will determine the most appropriate surgical method according to the patient’s condition.
Frequently asked questions about Laser Eye Surgery.
At what age is laser eye surgery done?
It is important to reach the age of 18 for refractive surgery. Refractive surgery, that is, laser eye surgery, is an age-limited condition. There is a perception that laser surgeries happen over the age of 40.
In the 20-35 age group, patients with -1 to -6 myopia (there may be some astigmatism, -2 or even -3) and suitable eye structure are the most suitable candidates for excimer laser procedures.
Things get a little more complicated as near vision problems come into play in the 35-45 age period. It is necessary to be much more careful in patients in this group.
In the period between the ages of 40-45, it is important to evaluate the expectation of the person very well and to direct them accordingly.
After the age of 45, different options come to the fore. Excimer laser procedures are generally not preferred here, especially because vision problems occur in the near future. Because with these procedures, it is not possible to correct both near and far in a healthy way. This is where smart lens surgeries come into play. However, with the smart lens method, it is possible to provide clear vision both far and near.
Will the eye number come back after refractive surgery?
The corrected number is not fully recovered. In a very small number of patients, there may be a number that will require re-use of glasses. This eye can be reprocessed.
Is dry eye problem experienced after refractive surgery?
If the correct treatment technique is applied to the patient, there is no problem of dry eyes.
What is PRK eye surgery?
There is a membrane layer covering the cornea. After this layer is removed, excimer laser is applied. This is also called PRK. Before PRK, if the person wears contact lenses, this should be stopped one week in advance. On the day of surgery, no make-up or any cosmetic product should touch the eyes.
It is an operation that does not require fasting. A light breakfast is recommended. Before the procedure, the eyelids are wiped with a special solution and the eye area is cleaned.
Anesthesia is done with drops. Anesthesia reduces eye reflexes and prevents pain. A veil is covered around the eyes. A wire is placed on the eyelids to prevent opening and closing.
Afterwards, the membrane surrounding the cornea is removed, and the underlying tissue is shaved with an excimer laser. After that, the cornea refraction is changed.
At the end of the procedure, an unnumbered contact lens is placed on the horn. One day after the procedure, there is a doctor’s control. Safety glasses are provided here.
- After the surgery, eye drops should be used regularly, and one should not sleep face down.
- After the operation, sunglasses with UV protection should be used for a while,
- Make-up should not be applied around the eyes, and the eye area should not be rubbed.
There is no restriction for traveling. Check-ups should be done at the times the ophthalmologist recommends.
What is Lasic?
Lasic surgery is the method that the thin layer in the front of the cornea is not removed. When the cornea is not suitable for other methods, lasic surgery is applied. There may be pain for up to 2 days after the operation.
How to see after eye laser eye surgery?
Visual acuity will be 100 percent. However, it may not be a case that glasses will not be used at all. But eyes will never be the same. In general, a comfortable life is led without glasses. It is not possible to return to the old eye number after the eye drawing surgery.
Is general anesthesia applied in laser eye surgery?
In laser eye surgery drop anesthesia is applied. General anesthesia is not the case.
Is laser eye surgery painful?
Since anesthetic drops are used, there is no pain during the procedure.
Is it possible to have cataract surgery after laser eye surgery?
Like everyone else, those who have laser eye surgery can also have cataract surgery. There is no obstacle for cataract surgery.
What is the suitable age for laser eye surgery?
In the 20-35 age group, patients with -1 to -6 myopia (there may be some astigmatism, -2 or even -3) and suitable eye structure are the most suitable candidates for excimer laser procedures. There is no age limitation for laser eye surgery.
It can be applied between the ages of 18 and 60. Those who have laser eye surgery are mostly satisfied.
Is laser eye surgery harmful?
No, there is no harm if it is done in hospitals with safe and professional teams.