LASIK eye surgery is a type of ophthalmic procedure that offers laser refractive solution for fixing vision problems. It is widely recognized and frequently performed to offer an alternative to glasses or contact lenses.
In the process of 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 your eye.
In a normal set of eyes with clear vision, the cornea accurately bends or refracts light onto the retina situated at the back of the eye. However, when dealing with near-sightedness, 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—it is about reshaping the way you see the world.
Why is LASIK Eye Surgery done
Thinking about fixing those vision issues? LASIK surgery might be the answer for you. Here are some common vision problems that LASIK can address:
- Near-sightedness (Myopia): This occurs when your eyeball is slightly longer than usual or the cornea is too sharply curved. As a result, light rays focus in front of the retina, causing distant vision to be blurry. However, close objects remain relatively clear.
- Far-sightedness (Hyperopia): If you have a shorter-than-average eyeball or a cornea that is too flat, light focuses behind the retina instead of on it. This leads to blurry near vision and sometimes affects distant vision as well.
- Astigmatism: This condition is characterized by the uneven curvature or flattening of the cornea, impacting both near and distant vision focus.
Experts at Cayra Clinic will have a chat with you to 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! Get in touch with one of our representatives now to change the way you see the world.
Risks involced in LASIK Eye Surgery
While complications leading to vision loss are exceedingly rare, it is essential to be aware of some common side effects associated with LASIK eye surgery. Among these, 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 them as 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.
Considering LASIK Eye surgery?
It’s crucial to be aware of potential risks associated with the procedure, including:
- Dry Eyes: LASIK can lead to a temporary decrease in 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.
- 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.
- Under-corrections: If the laser removes insufficient tissue from your eye, achieving the desired clarity in vision may be challenging, particularly for those who are near-sighted. In such cases, a follow-up LASIK procedure might be necessary within a year to remove additional tissue.
- 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.
- Astigmatism: Uneven tissue removal during surgery can result in astigmatism, potentially necessitating another surgery, glasses, or contact lenses for correction.
- Flap Problems: Complications arising from folding back or removing the flap during surgery include infection and excess tears. Abnormal growth of the outermost corneal tissue layer underneath the flap during healing can also occur.
- Corneal Ectasia: A more serious complication involves corneal ectasia, where the cornea becomes too thin and weak, leading to bulging and deteriorating vision.
- Regression: In some cases, vision may slowly revert to the original prescription, though this is a less common complication.
- 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 individual circumstances and expectations.
Conditions that increase risks related to LASIK Eye Surgery
It is essential to be aware 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: 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:
- 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 Near-sightedness: The extent of near-sightedness may impact candidacy.
5. Very Large Pupils or Thin Corneas: These factors can affect the success of the procedure.
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.
It is crucial to have an open conversation with our medical team about any questions or concerns you may have. Experts at Cayra Clinic will assess your individual situation and discuss whether LASIK or other similar procedures are suitable for 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:
- Be Aware of Costs: LASIK surgery is typically categorized as 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 leading up to 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, a crucial step is to switch to glasses exclusively for a few weeks before your evaluation and surgery. 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, conducting a comprehensive eye examination to assess your vision and determine the safety of the procedure. They will be on the lookout 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 any irregularities. This information help doctors in identifying areas of the cornea that require reshaping and determining 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 the strategic removal of corneal tissue.
Before the surgery, your doctor will engage in a thorough discussion, covering 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. It is a collaborative effort to ensure you are well-informed and confident as you embark on the journey to clearer vision.
During the procedure
LASIK surgery is a relatively quick procedure, 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, offering a comfortable setup for the surgery. To help you relax, you might be given medication.
2. Preparation: Numbing drops are applied to your eye, followed by the use of an instrument to hold your eyelids open.
3. Suction Ring: Before cutting the corneal flap, a suction ring is placed on your 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 a Point of Light: Throughout the surgery, you’ll be asked to focus on a point of light. This helps you keep your eye steady while the laser does its work. You might notice a distinct odor, similar to burning hair, as the laser removes corneal tissue.
7. Surgery for Both Eyes: If LASIK is needed for both eyes, doctors often perform the procedure on the same day.
Despite the detailed process, LASIK is known for its efficiency and effectiveness in providing clearer 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 common, 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 post-surgery. It is common for your eye doctor to recommend wearing a protective shield over your eye at night until the healing process is complete.
While you will be able to see immediately after the surgery, clear vision might take some time. Typically, vision improves within a few days, but it can take 2 to 3 months for complete healing and stabilization. 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. It is essential to adhere to post-surgery guidance on when to resume your usual activities for an even recovery process.
Results
LASIK Surgery gets you rid of the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses, providing a solid chance for improved vision.
In general, a significant majority of individuals undergoing LASIK refractive surgery achieve 20/40 vision or better, minimizing the reliance on corrective eyewear. Remarkably, more than 8 out of 10 people find themselves liberated from the need for glasses or contacts in their daily activities post-surgery.
However, the success of the procedure is influenced by factors like your specific refractive error. Individuals with a mild form of near-sightedness typically experience the highest success rates. On the other hand, those with a substantial degree of near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism may encounter less predictable outcomes.
Occasionally, there may be instances of 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 factors like complications in wound healing, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, or other eye issues such as cataracts. Any changes in vision should be discussed promptly for a comprehensive understanding and appropriate guidance.
Feel free to get in touch with one of Cayra Clinic’c medical professionals and discuss whether LASIK Eye Surgery is a viable option for you. We provide personalized treatment plans for our guests, combining their medical journey with a little holiday in the Anatolian cities of Turkey.
