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Frequently asked questions
What is laser-controlled vision correction? It is laser-controlled surgery. To optimise visual acuity, the surface of the cornea is reshaped with a cool laser beam. The laser removes microscopic parts of the corneal tissue in order to flatten the cornea (in the case of nearsightedness) or to increase the curvature (farsightedness) and/or correct irregularities in the cornea (as are present in astigmatism). The objective is to shape the cornea so that light enters the retina at the correct angle and images are optimally focused. LASIK and PRK are two methods of correcting vision. Is vision correction by laser safe? The FDA considers both Lasik and PRK to have been proven safe and effective. There are general risks, as with any form of operation. The corrective work is performed with a cold laser that is computer-controlled. The operating physician can switch off the laser at any time. With such a high standard of safety there is little scope for errors. Is the operation painful? During the operation the eye is anaesthetised with eyedrops, with the result that you will not notice any discomfort. Once the local anaesthetic has worn off following surgery, a small number patients have in the past sensed a foreign body in their eye. Some patients are also sensitive to light for the next few days. However, this type of irritation is deemed to be extremely slight and disappears within a few hours. How many people have had laser surgery? In the USA 960,000 such operations were performed in 1999. By 2003 this number had increased to 3,000,000 How do the current methods of laser surgery (PRK and Lasik) differ from earlier corneal surgery? Radical keratomy is an operation for correcting nearsightedness. In this type of surgery the operating physician makes a circular incision in the cornea without laser support. This procedure has at no time been approved by the FDA. What is the difference between Lasik and PRK? By the Lasik method the physician gains direct access to the corneal tissue before using the excimer laser by lifting a thin corneal flap. The necessary incision is made with a high degree of accuracy in only a few seconds using an instrument known as a microkeratome. After laser surgery has been completed, the corneal flap is returned to its original position. In the case of PRK no incision is made into the surface of the cornea. Instead, the corneal surface is carefully roughened in order to perform the actual correction in the lower layers of the cornea. A protective lens is then placed over the cornea and worn for five days until the surface has healed. The protective lens is removed after five days. How long does surgery take? The laser surgery takes between 15 and 40 seconds, depending on the degree of corneal correction needed. The total operating room time required, including preparations, is approx. 4 minutes per eye. Only minimum recovery time is necessary, and patients can normally leave the clinic after 30 minutes. How do I know if it's the right procedure for me? The final decision lies with the physician in attendance. However, a number of criteria serve as a reliable guide: Your eyes must be in a healthy state, i.e. no glaucoma, eye infection, chronically dry eyes or other condition that could impede post-operative healing. You must be at least 18 years old; for some procedures 21 years old. The maximum age is 60 years. The refractive error must have been stable for at least a year prior to surgery. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your hormone level may affect the shape of the eye. In this case you must wait until the hormone level has normalised. You should not suffer from an autoimmune disease, as this may have a negative effect on healing. Your nearsightedness should not exceed 14 dioptres.> If you are nearsighted due to an astigmatism (uneven curvature of the cornea) it may not exceed 6 dioptres. What happens on the day of surgery? Lasik is a method of outpatient treatment: you go to the clinic, have the operation and go home again afterwards. The surgical procedure itself does not take more than a minute, and the operation is over in 15-30 minutes. You will be in a reclining position and after the physician has administered anaesthetic eyedrops he will focus your eye under the laser. A retainer will ensure that your eye remains open; normally this does not cause any discomfort. You will be asked to look at a blinking light in order to focus the laser beam. If a PRK is being performed, the laser will remove the outer layer of the cornea. In Lasik surgery a flap will be cut in the cornea and folded back in order to access the corneal tissue. After the operation the flap will be returned to its original position. In both cases the amount of corneal tissue removed is microscopic – less than the thickness of a human hair. What happens prior to the operation? An eye specialist will examine your eyes to ensure they are healthy and suitable for laser surgery. An instrument will be used to measure the cornea, creating a kind of map that enables the attending physician to determine at which points surgery must be performed. What happens after the operation? The doctor will give you eyedrops. After a short rest you will be able to return to your hotel. You may notice an immediate improvement in your eyesight – an effect that will be further enhanced over the next few weeks. When will I be able to go back to work? Typically, you will be able to return to work no later than three days after the operation. However, you should always wait until you have fully recovered from the effects. In many cases patients can resume their normal activities after 1-2 days. Should I expect any side-effects? Some people experience dry eyes for a short period. This can be treated with eyedrops. Do the results of surgery last indefinitely? Refrain from rubbing your eyes. Observe any other instructions your attending physician may give you. Are there any rules of behaviour for post surgery? Refrain from rubbing your eyes. Observe any other instructions your attending physician may give you. What happens if I move my head during surgery? This is one of the most frequent questions: If the patient moves his or her head, the laser beam will be switched off immediately. Subsequently, the laser will be realigned with the eye. Do I need a referral from an eyecare practitioner? No. The size and experience of our team of specialists enables us to provide comprehensive analysis and consultation. No referral is necessary. What type of laser do you use? LASIK and PRK are performed with excimer lasers. These types of laser produce a cold beam that vapourises the cellular tissue of the cornea, thus correcting the cornea. |
LASIKFAQ - LaserTravel
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