Laser Eye Surgery Technology is Visually Cutting

Laser eye surgery is a relatively modern phenomenon and designed to banish the need for contact lenses or glasses to sufferers of specific eye conditions. It has already been performed worldwide many times by trained and experienced ophthalmologists and is set to become even more popular in future.

The removal of the need for spectacles or contact lenses to provide adequate vision can have a dramatic impact on people's lives. No longer will they have to fumble for their spectacles in the morning before switching off the alarm clock, or buy specialist prescription glasses to play their favourite sports. Indeed, the more active a bespectacled person is the more they have to gain from having laser eye surgery.

There are two major types of laser eye surgery - LASIK and LASEK - and which of those procedures is used normally depends upon the thickness of the patient's cornea, with the latter primarily used in cases of thin or flat corneas. The lasers used in both LASEK and LASIK procedures are typically capable of vaporising 0.25 microns of tissue per pulse; however, it is important to understand that not all lasers are capable of this. In addition - and to ensure ultimate safety - such surgery involves the use of the latest eye-tracking technology meaning that only the area of the cornea that is to be re-shaped is ever subject to the laser beam.

Convenience is a big plus factor when it comes to laser eye surgery. It can be performed quickly and with the minimum of disruption to the patient, normally taking less than a half an hour - although patients cannot drive immediately after receiving treatment so you should make prior arrangements to be taken home.

Anaesthetic drops are used for the procedure so drinking and eating patterns do not need to be interrupted - the only minor inconvenience may be that some patients who wear contact lenses may need to remove them a week before their procedure to prevent misshaping the cornea. In addition, gas permeable wearers will have to leave up to 4 weeks. Post-operative care is then available as and when a patient may need it, which may involve the prescription of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops.

But, despite the convenience and the level of advanced technology used not everyone is suitable to receive laser eye treatment, as it can only be used to correct short-sightedness (Myopia), long-sightedness (Hyperopia), and Astigmatism.

So, anyone who tires of having to wear reading spectacles may wish to check whether they would qualify for laser eye surgery.

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.