What Is Laser Vision Correction?
Refractive surgery for the correction of refractive errors and conditions including myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
The laser re-shapes the front of your cornea to improve the functioning of the lens and is used to improve the refractive state of the eye and decrease or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses, using premium lenses.Laser eye surgery has been performed since the early 1990’s and is now a common procedure, with in general excellent results. As with any procedure there are some risks involved, however the chance of a severe problem is very low.
There are several laser eye surgery techniques that alter the curve of the cornea and the most technologically advanced techniques allow us to use the laser to reshape the cornea without disturbing the surface of the eye.
Lasers have been used in eye surgery for more than 30 years to correct focusing problems. Precise reshaping of the cornea allows for accurate refocusing and glasses-free vision. A bladeless, one-step, one-laser, minimally invasive procedure that offers fast recovery.
These laser treatments include; SMILE, LASIK and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
Post-Operative Care for Laser Correction
Following any of the below laser correction procedures you will need a post-operative appointment with your specialist on the day following your surgery to check that everything is in order, and will require a further appointment a week after that. Your progress will continue to be monitored after one and then six months.
On your discharge you will be provided with eyedrops that you will need to apply for a short time following your operation. Typically, you can expect to resume normal activities after a few days, however you are advised not to swim for at least one week.
SMILE
SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) takes laser reshaping to a whole new level. The entire procedure is performed within the cornea without cutting the surface and at the end a tiny laser incision is made to remove the lenticule. SMILE is less invasive, heals fast and leaves the eye stronger, so physical activity can be resumed almost immediately. SMILE can treat short sightedness (myopia), astigmatism and soon will be able to treat long-sightedness (hyperopia).
LASIK
The terminology used for laser surgery can unfortunately often be confusing for those researching their options. At a simple level there two main types of surgery: LASIK and ASLA. Other terminology used, such as NuLasik, normally refer to the manufacturer of the specific technology used to perform the technique. Although different surgeons will have their own preferences, in general the different technologies all produce good results.
PRK
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) removes the surface layer of cells – the epithelium – before applying the laser directly to the surface of the cornea. Healing takes longer as the surface layer grows back slowly.
