Refractive Surgery

LASIK Eye Surgery

What is Refractive Surgery?

If you have a refractive error, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism or presbyopia, refractive surgery is a method for correcting or improving your vision. There are various surgical procedures for correcting or adjusting your eye's focusing ability by reshaping the cornea, or clear, round dome at the front of your eye. Other procedures involve implanting a lens inside your eye. The most widely performed type of refractive surgery is LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), where a laser is used to reshape the cornea.

For people who are nearsighted, certain refractive surgery techniques will reduce the curvature of a cornea that is too steep so that the eye's focusing power is lessened. Images that are focused in front of the retina, due to a longer eye or steep corneal curve, are pushed closer to or directly onto the retina following surgery.

Farsighted people will have refractive surgery procedures that achieve a steeper cornea to increase the eye's focusing power. Images that are focused beyond the retina, due to a short eye or flat cornea, will be pulled closer to or directly onto the retina after surgery.

Refractive Surgery

Astigmatism can be corrected with refractive surgery techniques that selectively reshape portions of an irregular cornea to make it smooth and symmetrical. The result is that images focus clearly on the retina rather than being distorted due to light scattering through an irregularly shaped cornea.

Read more about : Lasik eye surgery

Read more about : Best age for lasik eye surgery

Refractive surgery might be a good option for you if you:

. Want to decrease your dependence on glasses or contact lenses

. Are free of eye disease

. Accept the inherent risks and potential side effects of the procedure

. Understand that you could still need glasses or contacts after the procedure to achieve your best vision.

. Have an appropriate refractive error.

There is no universally-accepted, best method for correcting refractive errors. The best option for you should be decided after a thorough examination and discussion with your ophthalmologist. If you are considering refractive surgery, you and your ophthalmologist can discuss your lifestyle and vision needs to determine the most appropriate procedure for you.

Source:

. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-refractive-surgery

10 common questions about Lasik eye surgery

1Is Lasik eye surgery worth it?
LASIK eye surgery may mean no more corrective lenses. But it's not right for everybody. ... LASIK is a type of refractive eye surgery. In general, most people who have laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/25 vision or better, which works well for most activities.
2Are you awake during Lasik?
Perhaps the most common LASIK fear is the fear of being awake during surgery. But LASIK begins with numbing eye drops, and sometimes a mild sedative, to help you relax. Still, some patients notice mild discomfort, such as pressure, vibration or dimmed vision, during the procedure.Nov 13, 2013
3How dangerous is laser eye surgery?
July 27, 2018 -- Dry eyes, glare, halos, and starbursts are all possible side effects of LASIK surgery. But some people may also get long-term complications like eye infections, vision loss, chronic pain, and detached retinas
4Is Lasik painful?
In most cases, PRK and LASIK does not hurt during or immediately after the procedure. Before your LASIK eye surgery begins, numbing eye drops are used to alleviate any pain or discomfort to the eye during the procedure. ... LASIK does not hurt during the procedure, however you may feel some pressure on your eyes
5Can I drive after Lasik?
Each patient's recovery from LASIK surgery is unique and the actual length of time required to wait before driving can be resumed will vary. With that said, many people are ready to drive as early as the day after surgery. Before patients are allowed to drive, they will need to get approval from their doctor
6What happens if you blink during Lasik?
Numbing drops are applied to your eyes prior to surgery to make your LASIK procedure comfortable and decrease your natural urge to blink. Also, a small device will hold your eyelids open during the procedure so you can't accidentally blink and your eyelids cannot interfere with any step of the surgery.
7Is Lasik worth it over 40?
LASIK eye surgery age limits LASIK is FDA-approved for anyone aged 18 and older. This is the only hard and fast rule when it comes to an age limit for this procedure, but since adult vision is typically at its healthiest from age 19 to 40, anyone within this range is a great candidate
8Do I qualify Lasik?
To have LASIK eye surgery, you must have a stable prescription. This means your eyeglass prescription has not changed for at least two consecutive years. LASIK is FDA-approved for people aged 18 and older. ... It is important for eyes to be healthy, free of diseases, injuries and infections
9Do you need reading glasses after Lasik?
Since LASIK surgery is typically performed to correct distance vision and refractive errors rather than issues stemming from presbyopia, whether or not you will need reading glasses after LASIK depends on your age. ... If you're under 40, LASIK surgery will not cause you to need reading glasses, contrary to misconceptions
10How long will Lasik last?
With modern LASIK, the enhancement rate is 1-2 percent in the first 12 months and then about 1 percent a year after that as patients' eyes can change with time. So, for example, 10 years after LASIK, approximately 10 percent of patients may require an enhancement procedure to maintain their excellent vision

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