A Brief Look At Laser Eye Surgery
If, like many people who suffer from imperfect vision, you have had enough of breaking your glasses or losing your contact lenses, then you may have considered undergoing laser eye treatment. Offering you the chance to improve your quality of life, as well as giving you more freedom, it is becoming an increasingly common procedure to have.
A large proportion of people worldwide have already opted for laser vision correction. According to the testimonies, it has not only served to enhance the patients' vision, but has also provided them with more independence and confidence in life. But, how does it work and what are the different treatments available?
Essentially, the procedure is open to those people who suffer from acute short or long-sightedness, or astigmatism - this where your cornea is an oval rather than spherical shape, meaning images are blurred at most distances.
Your optician will be able to determine whether you should undergo laser eye treatment. If they believe that this is the case, then most procedures can be carried out very quickly and efficiently, and are performed using a local anaesthetic.
Generally speaking, there are two types of laser surgery available; LASEK (Laser-Assisted-Epithelial Keratomileusis) and LASIK (Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis). Each procedure is carried out whilst the patient is awake; eye drops are applied to numb the eye.
With LASEK laser eye treatment the top layer of the cornea, the epithelium, is removed before an excimer laser is used to re-sculpt the cornea. Once this is completed, the surgeon then replaces the epithelium on the eye's surface. To keep it in place a soft contact lens is inserted, which must be kept in for a few days after the treatment.
LASIK eye treatment, on the other hand, is the most commonly executed procedure globally and is suitable for a wide number of people. Time wise, it is also extremely efficient since it is possible for both eyes to be treated at the same time, whilst it only takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Patients have additionally reported less discomfort following the treatment compared to other types of laser surgery.
The difference between LASIK eye surgery and LASEK is that the former does not remove the epithelium, but instead creates a flap using specific cutting techniques. And, once the laser treatment has been completed, the flat is simply replaced, which helps it to heal more naturally.
If you are looking a change from wearing glasses, or want to save time putting in your contact lenses every day, then it may be worth considering laser eye treatment. Testimony to its success, a very large proportion of people have undergone the treatment, with many stating that they wish they had done so sooner.
About the Author:
Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.