VISION PROCEDURES
Lasik, Lasek and PRK are all different methods of correcting refractive errors with excimer laser.
The Excimer Laser
Developed in the 1980s, the excimer laser is computer controlled. It removes precise amounts of tissue from the cornea, allowing the cornea to be sculpted to achieve predictable changes in vision. This provides a high degree of safety and precision for laser-assisted procedures such as LASIK.
Advantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?
- It works! It corrects vision. Around 96% of patients will have their desired vision after LASIK. An enhancement can further increase this number.
- LASIK is associated with very little pain due to the numbing drops that are used.
- Vision is corrected nearly immediately or by the day after LASIK.
- No bandages or stiches are required after LASIK.
- Adjustments can be made years after LASIK to further correct vision if vision changes while you age.
- After having LASIK, most patients have a dramatic reduction in eyeglass or contact lens dependence and many patients no longer need them at all.
Is LASIK Safe?
LASIK has among the highest safety rates of any medical procedure. The safety and effectiveness of LASIK is proven by an enormous body of scientific evidence gathered by hundreds of academic medical researchers. It is on the basis of this clinical data– one of the largest ever compiled concerning a medical procedure – that LASIK can be considered very safe and effective.
What Are the Disadvantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?
Despite the pluses, there are some disadvantages to LASIK eye surgery:
- LASIK is technically complex. Rare problems may occur when the doctor creates the flap, which can permanently affect vision. This is one reason to choose a surgeon who is very experienced at performing these surgeries.
- LASIK can rarely cause a loss of "best" vision. Your best vision is the highest degree of vision that you achieved while wearing your contacts or eyeglasses.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of LASIK Eye Surgery?
Some patients experience discomfort in the first 24 to 48 hours after LASIK eye surgery. Other side effects, although rare, may include:
- Glare
- Seeing halos around images
- Difficulty driving at night
- Fluctuating vision
- Dry Eye
There is a healing process following the LASIK procedure. During the recovery period, some patients experience some temporary symptoms or postoperative complaints. These usually resolve with time or may require treatment. These are not sight-threatening complications or adverse events.
The Steps of LASIK Surgery
LASIK is an abbreviation for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis." The steps of LASIK surgery include: 1. Eye numbing drops are given before surgery to prevent pain. 2. An eyelid holder keeps the eye open and prevents blinking. 3. A suction ring is placed on the eye to keep the eye from moving and to lift and flatten the cornea. 4. The eye surgeon creates a flap in the cornea. The surgeon may use either a surgical blade called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. The flap is folded back to reveal the cornea's midsection (stroma). 5. The excimer laser sculpts the exposed corneal tissue. 6. The corneal flap is put back in place. It reattaches within a few minutes without stutures. 7. Eye drops are applied to aid healing. After surgery, your eyes may burn, itch, or feel irritated. This usually goes away within a day or so. It's important not to rub your eyes because this could move the flap. You will likely notice improved vision by the next day, although it can take as long as three to six months for vision o stabilize.
Procedures Related to LASIK Surgery
Doctors have developed other surgeries similar to the standard LASIK procedure. These include the following.
- Wavefront-guided LASIKuses a highly detailed "map" of how light moves through the eye to guide the laser treatment. This shows even the subtlest distortions of focus. The goal is to reduce the chance of after-surgery problems such as glare, light "halos" blurry vision, and poor night vision.
- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) corrects low to high nearsightedness low to moderate farsighhtedness, and astigmatism. The eye surgeon removes the epithelium (surface cells on the cornea). The surgeon then uses the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. Healing occurs with help from a "bandage contact lens" applied at the end of the procedure. Initial healing occurs during the first week and may involve some discomfort. Full visual recovery may take weeks or months. For these reasons, LASIK surgery has generally replaced PRK, except for patients with corneas too thin for LASIK surgery or others with certain lifestyles or professions (such as professional athletes).
- LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis) is very similar to PRK. The difference is that the surgeon removes and then replaces the epithelium after completing the surgery. Like PRK, LASEK may be recommended for people with thin corneas. As with PRK, healing may involve some discomfort.
- Epi-LASIK uses a special instrument, the Epi-keratome, to create the corneal flap on the layer of cells covering the cornea (epithelium). Epi-LASIK is used primarily in patients who cannot have standard LASIK surgery.
We can correct all refractive errors; nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyobia.
Dr. Kumral will choose the most suitable method for your eyes after thorough complimentary consultation.