Introduction
Laser eye surgery is used by individuals who experience annoying eye problems. It involves the application of a laser to the cornea, the surface of your eye, for the purpose of changing the shape of it. Laser eye surgery is a permanent solution to detrimental eye problems and can ensure that you see clearly without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. In this article we will supply the history of laser eye surgery and some information that you should be aware of if you are contemplating this procedure.
History
As is common with many pivotal scientific discoveries, the foundation of laser eye surgery originated with an accident. In Russia in the 1970's a young glasses wearing boy had fallen over and had glass cut his eyes. A Russian doctor called Dr. Fyodror examined the boy and discovered that his myopic eyesight had actually improved by this chance occurrence. Though this discovery was documented and researched it did not gain worldwide renown until an American introduced it into the USA. The surgery was first carried out with surgical equipment but this was later replaced with an excimer laser. Since being commercialised in the 1980's laser eye surgery has been an international success with millions of individual opting to repair their eye damage in this permanent innovative way.
Features
Laser eye surgery can cure a few different eye disorders, below I have listed the three most common.
- Myopia: Also called short-sightedness, this is where things that are far away are blurry.
- Hyperopia: Objects that are close to you are blurry. People who have this disorder cannot read without glasses.
- Astigmatism: The image is distorted when reflected on your cornea
There are two different types of eye laser surgery. PRK which is a single laser applied to the surface of the cornea. LASIK is the second type which is a laser that goes deeper into your cornea than a PRK. PRK is rarely used, and is only applied to those who have thin corneas. If you are a contact lenses wearer, you should stop wearing them prior to your eye laser surgery. As they alter the curve of your cornea. Leave them out for two weeks before surgery for soft lens and 3-4 weeks for hard lens. Before your laser eye surgery your surgeon will perform a procedure known as Wavefront mapping. This is when light is projected into your eye and the waves that bounce back are measured. This task is done so the surgeon can determine the extent of damage and what is needed. Laser eye surgery is incredibly quick and relatively pain free. Take time to research a variety of surgeons so you find the right one for you. Base your search upon their education, experience and their surgical equipment. After the surgery your eyes may be dry and feel a little uncomfortable but this is only temporary. Your vision should stabilise after 3-8 weeks.
Tips and comments
- Some surgeons suggest not applying foundation or flaky cosmetics to your face a day before surgery. This is because particles can sometimes enter your eyes causing infection and complications during the laser eye surgery.
- Prices range for laser eye surgery but it averages around two thousand dollars.
- Don't wear contact before surgery, as it can alter the curve of your cornea.
- Laser eye surgery is normally a blade free, painless affair.
- It is permanent so you will never need to wear your corrective lens again.
