Alcohol Abuse Advice

Laser Vision Correction: A Brief Overview

The laser vision correction procedure is a surgical process that uses light rays to gently modify the shape of your cornea. Further, microscopic corneal tissue is removed, which results in better focusing of images on the retina. The process is very effective, to cure myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or astigmatism combined with myopia/ hyperopia.

You are a good candidate for laser vision correction, if you meet the following criteria:

1. You have stable refraction for at least a year.

2. You are not suffering from medical conditions, such as collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS, diabetic retinopathy or keloid.

3. 18 years or above for cure of hyperopia or myopia.

4. 21 years or above for cure of astigmatism.

5. Suffering from myopia between -0.50 and -14.00 diopters.

6. Suffering from hyperopia more than 6 diopters.

Laser Vision Correction Techniques: A Closer Look

One of the major advantages of laser vision correction techniques is that both the eyes can be treated in a single session. Further, it offers higher predictability of the final outcome. Usually most patients can get back to their daily routine the day after the treatment. However, with PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) doctors recommend rest of two to three days. Here are a few different types of eye improvement techniques, such as:

Epi-LASIK

It is an innovative bladeless technique. The process includes the removal of a thin layer of epithelial cells, instead of flap creation. First your eyes are anesthetized with numbing drops. Then a few drops of dilute alcohol are applied on your cornea. The alcohol solution is allowed to stay on the corneal surface for 20 to 30 seconds. The alcohol loosens the epithelial layer. Then an excimer laser is used to reshape the exposed corneal surface. The epithelium layer takes 3 to 5 days to heal. This process is most suitable for patients with corneal dystrophies, flat or thin corneas. Also, it is beneficial for those with high refractive errors.

LTK

LTK (Laser thermokeratoplasty) is a relatively new procedure. It is mainly used to correct astigmatism and farsightedness. It uses a light beam to reshape and shrink the cornea. No cutting or removal of tissue is involved in the process. The recovery time is much faster than other conventional eyesight improvement procedures. However, it is not a permanent cure. Your eyesight may start regressing gradually.