In general, laser eye surgery is an effective solution for people who have a moderate degree of refractive error and who don't have any unusual vision problems. LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure designed to correct refractive errors. It involves creating a corneal flap using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser, remodeling the cornea with an excimer laser to remove tissue from the underlying stromal bed and then replacing the flap. This procedure is commonly used to treat myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Contact lenses are another option for people with astigmatism, providing slightly more flexibility than glasses but with greater risks to eye health. The guide recommended that doctors audit and review the clinical results of all patients who undergo laser eye surgery, ideally including data from long-term follow-up. LASIK eye surgery is a common laser surgery procedure for correcting vision problems, as it eliminates or reduces the need to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. With each pulse of the laser beam, a small amount of corneal tissue is removed, allowing the eye surgeon to flatten the corneal curve or make it more pronounced.
The eye surgeon will ask you detailed questions about your eye health and evaluate them to make sure you don't have any conditions that could cause complications or poor results from the surgery. It is still important for patients to thoroughly discuss with the surgeon the possible risks and benefits of undergoing laser surgery in their individual case. The guide, for the NHS of England, Wales and Scotland, revealed that the three most common types of laser eye surgery used to treat refractive errors: laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratotectomy (PRK) and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) were equally effective in improving visual acuity. People who want to undergo LASIK surgery should know the criteria that make a person suitable for this type of surgery. Laser surgery for myopia and astigmatism is generally safe and effective, but surgeons should inform people about the potential risks compared to those involved in wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, according to a guide published last week. Doctors often use wavefront-guided technology to evaluate the eye in detail before LASIK surgery. The femtosecond laser creates a corneal incision by delivering laser pulses at a predetermined depth in the cornea.
During LASIK eye surgery, an eye surgeon creates a flap in the cornea (A), the transparent, dome-shaped surface of the eye that represents a large part of the eye's bending or refractive power. The surgeon then uses a laser (B) to reshape the cornea, which corrects refractive problems in the eye (C). LASIK surgery is performed with a laser programmed to remove a defined amount of tissue from a part of the eye called the cornea. Unlike eyeglasses or contact lenses, which only treat astigmatism so that you can see clearly with assistive devices, laser eye surgery is the only treatment that can resolve astigmatism and you will no longer need eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, some patients had problems with laser eye surgery, such as deterioration of visual acuity, the development of new visual disorders, and corneal infection. During the evaluation, the eye doctor will ask you about your medical and surgical history and perform a complete eye exam to evaluate your vision and determine if you can safely undergo the procedure.
It is important for people with astigmatism and other vision problems to consider all available options before deciding on laser eye surgery. It is also essential for patients to understand what they can expect from their procedure and how they can prepare for it. The guide also recommends that patients should be informed about postoperative care instructions such as avoiding rubbing their eyes or wearing makeup for at least one week after their procedure. Additionally, patients should be aware that they may experience some discomfort during recovery such as dry eyes or light sensitivity. Overall, laser eye surgery is an effective solution for people with astigmatism and other vision problems who want to reduce their dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, it is important for patients to understand all potential risks associated with this type of procedure before making any decisions.
