Myths Surrounding Laser Eye Surgery

How much good can a laser eye surgery bring? Is it even a reliable option for vision problem? Will it cause pain? What's the extent to which the outcome can last?

It would bring relief to people who have had problems with eyesight to know that they can practically see clearly without any help from glasses or contact lenses. However, you may feel slightly afraid to face the reality of having laser eye surgery.

The following questions that have been expertly answered will redefine what laser eye surgery is about; clearing every myth about the procedure. Keep reading.

Am I making the right choice by opting for laser eye surgery?

Many patients do not know if laser eye surgery is what their condition requires; if they are up for unnecessary treatment.

Experts in their experience have said that sometimes patients do come requesting laser eye surgery; however, it isn't what they should have. At our clinic, Optimal Vision, while we have offered this treatment to a larger number of patients, a huge population of patients have been refused this treatment, and the reason is primarily clinical. For example, should you be diagnosed with an underlying health condition, the result of laser treatment won't be great. So, this procedure is only used on patients whose diagnosis shows they are clinically eligible for it, if the treatment will benefit them, and if we have seen the possibility of restoring their vision. Under this condition, we have been able to approve a lot of surgery.

What is the duration of the result of laser eye surgery?

If you have heard that laser treatment does not last, it is a myth; it does last. However, a few patients may experience a relapse, but they can be helped with an improved or secondary procedure. This is due to the ability of the eye to heal naturally after the treatment.

Experts believe that people heal, although at different rates, from various medical procedures. After undergoing LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis), a little percentage of patients will not achieve the desired result.

Thanks to modern LASIK, there is now a 4 per cent rate of improvement. Should your condition need an enhancement, it is typically performed 3 to 6 months post original treatment, and to fix a pronounced lower eye prescription than the condition treated earlier on.

Again, the older we become, the more we experience natural changes that impact our vision. It is usually in our mid to late 40s that these changes become imminent. As a matter of fact, this malfunction happens because the lens in our eye can no longer change its shape more readily like it would when our focus shifts from a far object to one that is close by.

Note that changes inside the eye that are not related to laser eye surgery take place on the outer eye window. So, for a patient treated before the occurrence of a linked symptom of near-vision, having supplementary treatments is an option to restore the ability to see objects that are nearby and provide a greater degree of impaired short-sightedness like the one experienced in far-sightedness.

What happens during the laser eye surgery procedure?

Two distinct methods are employed in laser eye treatment. LASIK is great for 90 per cent of patients. Here at Optimal Vision, we offer the iLasik. This laser-centred surgery is made up of two lasers that are ultra-fast, precise, and guided by a computer. It makes use of two laser beams. The first beam produces a thin flap to protect the cornea (outer window of the eye), while the second changes the shape of the clear layers inside the eyes gently to fix your eyesight.

But in LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis), the surgeon will take out a very thin layer from the front of the eye; then they will apply a laser beam to the eye to correct its shape. An estimated 10% of patients do undergo this treatment.

These two types of treatment fix short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Laser eye surgery proves to be a long-lasting alternative to the use of contact lens and glasses for many patients.

Currently, the latest advancement in LASIK or LASEK treatment is an iDesign form. This improved treatment uses sophisticated diagnostic technology to determine the micro-eye prescription of 1,257 patients. Here, the eye prescription is measured to 0.01 of a dioptre strength; making it 25 times greater than the prescription measurement offered by a contact lens or glasses.

Is laser eye surgery painful?

Different persons experience different levels of pain. While many patients may not feel any pain, certain patients, especially those receiving the LASEK surgery, have some little discomfort over a few days following the surgery. But during the surgery, there is no pain or discomfort as the surgeon will apply anaesthetic in the form of eye drops to numb any pain on the outer window of the eye.

What is the qualification of the surgeons?

Here at Optimal Vision, we have specialist surgeons in refractive surgery that are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). They have vast experience in Ophthalmology and refractive surgery, which has been applied in the treatment of many patients worldwide.

When will patients experience any improvement following the laser treatment?

Most patients see positive changes in their vision right after undergoing surgery; however, it comes down to the individual and the kind of treatment they have received. Every patient will notice changes in their eyesight within 24 hours of completing the treatment.

Many myths surround laser eye surgery, what has been done to clear the air and maintain the truth?

A lot of patients who are thinking of having laser eye surgery will first contact their optometrist. But so many of these optometrists are poorly experienced in this area and may not provide useful advice. Even if they do, it may not be accurate.

In the past, we had launched an initiative to correct false perceptions and myths regarding eye care. During this programme, free laser eye surgery was offered to optometrists to understand the workings of the procedure better, and more than 800 optometrists received treatment following the initiative.

After the programme, reports showed that 99 percent of those who had undergone treatment revealed that they had gained a great improvement in their understanding and knowledge of the procedure, and would not hesitate to recommend laser eye surgery to anyone who cares about vision correction.

So, if you are interested and want to get the best laser eye surgery, schedule a consultation for laser eye surgery in London and get wide range of eye care services.