Elena Rossi

Author
Elena Rossi

Advancements in Laser Vision Correction: Exploring Modern LASIK Technologies

  Apr 3, 2024

Advancements in Laser Vision Correction: Exploring Modern LASIK Technologies

Disclaimer!!!
The content in this blog post is only for knowledge purposes and does not constitute any medical advice.You need to check in with a professional before choosing to go with any of the treatments mentioned in this post.Please do your due diligence before opting to take on any procedures, surgeries, or medicines.

Many people have been suffering from some kind of vision impairment through the ages. 

And the only solution to such problems was either wearing bulky eyeglasses or thin contact lenses.

But that is not the case anymore.

With the world advancing so fast with the help of technology, many different kinds of treatments for visual impairment have been made.

These eye procedures can permanently fix refractive errors in the eye like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism very easily.

In this article, we will discuss more in detail the latest advancements in laser vision correction technology and how you can look for one.

Yes, even if you’re looking to get your sight treated with LASIK in Las Vegas, this guide is definitely for you.

LASIK Treatment

LASIK is basically a type of eye procedure that uses a laser to treat different types of refractive issues in the eyes.

In this type of treatment, the cornea of the eye is reshaped with the help of a laser so that light can enter the eye and properly get focused on the retina, as it would usually be for any normal eye.

This helps the patient get clearer vision and some have even gotten their 20/20 sight back from their youth.

But since they made an incision to lift the whole cornea, there is a chance of permanent vision loss and nerve damage too.

But with precision technologies getting more advanced and high success rates, this treatment is the go-to for many patients who are looking to fix their eyes.

DID YOU KNOW?
More than 30 million people. That’s around the same as how many people live in Peru, or just a few million off the population of Canada.

The SMILE

Just like LASIK, SMILE or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction also uses a laser to fix refractive issues in the eyes.

It’s kind of different, though.

While in the LASIK they make a 360° incision in the cornea, in SMILE they only make a small incision of 60°.

And, it is less invasive than LASIK, and there is less chance for nerve damage as compared to its counterparts.

Besides, while LASIK can be performed up to an age limit of 60, SMILE is only recommended for patients aged between 18 and 40.

OCT Surgery

You know, many people in this world suffer from various life-altering diseases.

And OCT or Optical Coherence Tomography can be used to diagnose and manage diabetes-related retinopathy and glaucoma.

OCT can also be used to treat severe vision impairments like cataracts.

This procedure is pretty non-invasive and imaging methods that use reflected light to create pictures of the back of your eye are used in this process.

Benefits of Laser Eye Treatments

The main benefit of laser eye surgery is that most people no longer have to wear corrective eyewear to see clearly. 

Individuals can choose to go with the procedure for many different reasons, and this includes:

  • Being unable to wear contact lenses but preferring not to wear glasses, perhaps for cosmetic reasons
  • Wishing to undertake activities, such as sports, that require a person not to wear glasses or contact lenses,
  • Having the convenience of not having to wear corrective eyewear

But Are Laser Treatments Safe?

While we have seen many good results from laser eye surgeries, nothing is exactly 100% in this world.

So, if you’re thinking of going the laser way, you need to check out some of the common side effects or aftereffects of laser eye surgeries.

  1. Infections and Delayed Healing: A small number of people can get an infection after a PRK or LASIK. This generally just causes mild discomfort in your eyes and a longer healing time post-treatment.
  2. Undercorrection or Overcorrection: Well, you won’t know if the surgery went well until after your eyes have healed. You might just need to wear your glasses again or get a second correction (laser enhancement) done to fix the issue.
  3. Worse Vision: It might be rare but some people say that their eyesight got worse after the surgery. Irregular tissue removal or excess corneal haze can cause your eyes to get worse.
  4. Halo Effect: This side effect usually only gets noticed in dim lights. It can make it hard to drive or see in dark places.
  5. Flap Damage or Loss: You know, LASIK can leave a hinged flap at the center of your cornea and can be easily fixed within the first couple of days post-surgery.

So, even after knowing about all the risks and side effects that laser eye surgeries carry, is it still worth it to get one?

Surprisingly, the answer is a resounding yes.

While the side effects are there, the chances of that happening are near zero.

But still, you need to choose a clinic that has experienced staff and good reviews before you choose to go with the laser.

Only choose the surgery if your sight is interfering with your quality of life and make sure to discuss it thoroughly with your ophthalmologist before you take any drastic measures.

According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, LASIK has a success rate of up to 99%. 90% of people who undergo LASIK surgery end up with vision that is 20/20 or better.

Conclusion

Many people continue to live with vision-related issues even in this day and age.

They still need to wear heavy eyeglasses or contacts to keep up with their quality of life, but sometimes these diseases interfere with that too.

This is where some people opt for laser treatment options like LASIK, SMILE, and OCT to fix these ailments.

While these treatments are successful most of the time, there are oftentimes some side effects or after-effects from the surgery.

While most are just temporary, some might just be permanent too.

But still, if you’re confused about what to choose, your ophthalmologist may help you reach a decision on if you should get this type of treatment or not and which one will fix your condition the best.




×