LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK eye surgery is a type of ophthalmic procedure that uses laser refractive surgery to fix vision problems. It is widely recognized and frequently performed as an alternative to glasses or contact lenses. In LASIK surgery, ophthalmologists or eye surgeons use a specialized cutting laser to reshape the cornea—a crucial, dome-shaped, transparent layer at the front of the eye.In a standard set of eyes with clear vision, the cornea accurately bends or refracts light onto the retina at the back of the eye. However, when dealing with nearsightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism, this bending of light goes off course. The result? Blurred vision, as the light is refracted incorrectly.

While glasses or contact lenses serve as fixes for vision, reshaping the cornea steps up to the plate by providing the necessary refraction to get your vision back on track. At Cayra Clinic, it is not just about correcting vision but about reshaping how you see the world. Discover Cayra Clinic’s commitment to excellence on the About Us page.

Why is LASIK Eye Surgery done?

Are you thinking about fixing those vision issues? LASIK surgery might be the answer for you. Here are some common vision problems that LASIK can address:

1. Nearsightedness (Myopia) occurs when the eyeball is slightly longer than usual or the cornea is too sharply curved. As a result, light rays focus in front of the retina, blurring distant vision. However, close objects remain relatively straightforward.
2. Farsightedness (Hyperopia): If you have a shorter-than-average eyeball or a too-flat cornea, light focuses behind the retina instead of on it. This leads to blurry near vision and sometimes affects distant vision as well.
3. Astigmatism is characterized by the uneven curvature or flattening of the cornea, which impacts both near and distant vision focus.
   Experts at Cayra Clinic will discuss whether LASIK or a similar refractive procedure is a viable option for you. It is all about finding what works best for your eyes! Contact one of our representatives now to change the way you see the world.

Risks involved in LASIK Eye Surgery.

While complications leading to vision loss are exceedingly rare, it is essential to be aware of some common side effects of LASIK eye surgery. Dry eyes and temporary visual issues like glare are frequently reported. The good news is that these symptoms typically resolve within a few weeks or months, with most individuals not considering their long-term concerns. So, while the road to better vision might have a few bumps, it is often a short-lived journey with lasting benefits.

Are you considering LASIK Eye surgery?

It is crucial to be aware of potential risks associated with the procedure, including:

1. Dry Eyes: LASIK can temporarily decrease tear production, causing dry eyes during the initial healing period. This dryness may impact the quality of your vision. Your eye doctor might recommend eye drops and, in severe cases, additional measures like tear drain plugs or medicated eye drops.
2. Glare, Halos, and Double Vision: Post-surgery, you might be uncomfortable seeing at night, accompanied by light sensitivity, glare, halos around bright lights, or double vision. While these issues typically last a few days to weeks, they can affect vision in low-light conditions even after achieving good visual results in standard testing.
3. Under-corrections: If the laser removes insufficient tissue from your eye, achieving the desired clarity in vision may be challenging, particularly for near-sighted people. In such cases, a follow-up LASIK procedure might be necessary to remove additional tissue within a year.
4. Over-corrections: Similarly, removing too much tissue with the laser poses the risk of overcorrections, which can be more challenging to address than under-corrections.
5. Astigmatism: Uneven tissue removal during surgery can result in astigmatism, potentially necessitating another surgery, glasses, or contact lenses for correction.
6. Flap Problems: Complications arising from folding back or removing the flap during surgery include infection and excess tears. During healing, abnormal growth of the outermost corneal tissue layer underneath the flap can also occur.
7. Corneal Ectasia: A more severe complication involves corneal ectasia, where the cornea becomes too thin and weak, leading to bulging and deteriorating vision.
8. Regression: Sometimes, vision may slowly revert to the original prescription, though this is a less common complication.
9. Vision Loss or Changes: While extremely rare, surgical complications could result in vision loss, and some individuals may not experience the same level of sharpness or clarity as before.

Before proceeding with LASIK, it is essential to thoroughly discuss these potential risks with your eye doctor and ensure that the procedure aligns with your circumstances and expectations.

Conditions that increase risks related to LASIK Eye Surgery

It is essential to know that certain health conditions can heighten the risks or make the outcome less predictable. Laser refractive surgery might not be recommended for individuals with specific conditions, such as:
1. Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Weakened Immune System: Resulting from immunosuppressive medications or HIV.
3. Constant Dry Eyes: Persistent dry eye issues.
4. Recent Changes in Vision: These may be due to medications, hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or age.
5. Cornea and Eye-related Issues: Inflammation of the cornea, lid disorders, eye injuries, or diseases like uveitis, herpes simplex affecting the eye area, glaucoma, or cataracts.
6. Corneal Disorders: Including keratoconus or corneal ectasia.

LASIK surgery is generally not recommended if you:

1. Have Thin and Bulging Corneas: As seen in eye diseases like keratoconus.
   2. Family History of Corneal Issues: Such as keratoconus or other corneal ectasia.
   3. Have Good Overall Vision: LASIK is typically intended for those with vision correction needs.
   4. severe nearsightedness: The extent of nearsightedness may impact candidacy.
   5. Very Large Pupils or Thin Corneas: These factors can affect the procedure’s success.
   6. Age-related Vision Changes: Changes that result in less clear vision.
   7. Participate in Contact Sports, Especially those associated with potential blows to the face.

Having an open conversation with our medical team about any questions or concerns you may have is crucial. Experts at Cayra Clinic will assess your situation and discuss whether LASIK or other similar procedures suit you. It is all about finding the best fit for your unique circumstances.

How you prepare for LASIK Eye Surgery

Here are some steps you can take for surgery preparation:

1. Be Aware of Costs: LASIK surgery is typically considered elective, so most insurance plans would not cover the expenses. Anticipate paying out-of-pocket for the procedure.
   2. Have Assistance: It is better to have a Companion alongside. Post-surgery, the effects of pre-surgery medication may linger, and your vision might be blurry, making it unsafe to be by yourself.
   3. Go Makeup-Free: In the 24 hours before your surgery, avoid using eye makeup, creams, perfumes, or lotions. We advise cleaning your eyelashes more frequently to remove debris and reduce the risk of infection. A makeup break is a small price for clearer vision!

What you can expect

Before the procedure

Achieving the best long-term results with LASIK often involves a careful pre-surgery evaluation to determine if you are an ideal candidate for the procedure.
For those accustomed to wearing contact lenses, switching to glasses exclusively for a few weeks before your evaluation and surgery is crucial. Contact lenses can alter the shape of your cornea, and your eye doctor will provide specific guidelines based on your lens type and duration of use.
During the evaluation, your eye doctor at Cayra Clinic will examine your medical and surgical history and conduct a comprehensive eye examination to assess your vision and determine the safety of the procedure. They will look for signs of eye infection, inflammation, dry eyes, large pupils, and high eye pressure.
The examination also includes precise measurements of your cornea, evaluating shape, contour, thickness, and irregularities. This information helps doctors identify areas of the cornea that require reshaping and determine the precise amount of tissue to be removed.
Utilizing wavefront-guided technology, doctors create a detailed chart akin to a topographic map, providing an in-depth analysis of your eye. The more accurate the measurements, the better your eye doctor can be in strategically removing corneal tissue.
Before the surgery, your doctor will thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits of LASIK. They will also provide insights into what to expect before and after the procedure, addressing any questions or concerns you may have. This collaborative effort will ensure that you are well-informed and confident as you embark on the journey to a clearer vision.

During the procedure

LASIK surgery is relatively quick, usually completed in 30 minutes or less. Here is a breakdown of what happens during the procedure:
1. Positioning: You lie on your back in a reclining chair, which is comfortable for the surgery. You might be given medication to help you relax.
2. Preparation: Numbing drops are applied to the eye, followed by an instrument to hold the eyelids open.
3. Suction Ring: Before cutting the corneal flap, a suction ring is placed on the eye. This may cause a sensation of pressure, and your vision might slightly dim.
4. Flap Creation: Using a small blade or cutting laser, your eye surgeon carefully cuts a small, hinged flap from the front of your eye. Folding back this flap provides access to the cornea for reshaping.
5. Reshaping with Laser: A programmed laser is employed to reshape specific parts of your cornea. Each pulse of the laser removes a tiny amount of corneal tissue. After the reshaping, the surgeon lays the flap back into place. It typically heals on its own without the need for stitches.
6. Focusing on the Light: Throughout the surgery, you’ll be asked to focus on the light. This helps you keep your eye steady while the laser does its work. As the laser removes corneal tissue, you’ll notice a distinct odor, similar to burning hair.
7. Surgery for Both Eyes: Doctors often perform the procedure on the same day if LASIK is needed for both eyes.
Despite the detailed process, LASIK is known for its efficiency and effectiveness in providing more precise vision. It is a swift journey to improved eyesight, with most patients experiencing positive results shortly after the procedure.

After the procedure

• Right after your LASIK surgery, you may experience itching, a gritty feeling, burning, and watery eyes. Blurred vision is shared, but the good news is that pain is generally minimal, and your vision is likely to recover quickly.
• To ensure your comfort, you might be prescribed pain medicine or eye drops for the initial hours after surgery. Your eye doctor might also recommend wearing a protective shield over your eye at night until the healing process is complete.
• Clear vision might take some time while you can see immediately after the surgery. Typically, vision improves within a few days, but complete healing and stabilization can take 2 to 3 months. The degree of improvement often depends on your pre-surgery vision.
• Expect a follow-up appointment with our team at Cayra Clinic 1 to 2 days after surgery to assess the healing process and identify any potential complications. Additional follow-ups over the first six months are likely, as necessary.
• Reintroducing cosmetics around your eyes may take a few weeks, and engaging in strenuous activities such as contact sports, swimming, or using hot tubs might be restricted for several weeks. For an even recovery process, it is essential to adhere to post-surgery guidance on when to resume your usual activities.

Results

LASIK Surgery eliminates the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses, providing a solid chance for improved vision.

Most individuals undergoing LASIK refractive surgery generally achieve 20/40 vision or better, minimizing the reliance on corrective eyewear. More than 8 out of 10 people feel liberated from needing glasses or contacts in their daily activities post-surgery.

However, factors like your specific refractive error influence the procedure’s success. Individuals with mild nearsightedness tend to have the highest success rates. On the other hand, those with a substantial degree of nearsightedness, farnearsightednessd, and astigmatism may encounter less predictable outcomes.

Occasionally, there may be under-correction, requiring additional surgery for proper correction. While rare, some individuals might experience a gradual return to their pre-surgery level of vision. This could be attributed to complications in wound healing, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, or other eye issues such as cataracts. Any vision changes should be discussed promptly for a comprehensive understanding and appropriate guidance.

Feel free to contact one of Cayra Clinic’s medical professionals and discuss whether LASIK Eye Surgery is a viable option for you. We provide personal clinics and treatment plans for our guests, combining their medical journey with a little holiday in the Anatolian cities of Turkey.