Eye Operations Using Lasers

Since the discovery of Laser a lot of advancement has been made for its application. Most notable use of laser is evident in the field of medicine. Lasers could be used in various types of surgery especially in vision correcting of the eyes. Vision correction using laser has been around for some time, this started when the first excimer laser was discovered in the 1950’s.

Vision problems and refractive errors such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), and astigmatism (distorted visions) could be corrected using laser surgery procedure. These problems are associated with how the eyes focus on images in the retina, the light sensitive part on the back of the eye. Also an important factor in the eyes ability to focus lies on the shape of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye.

In a laser eye surgery a laser device is used to make changes in the shape and contour of the cornea. An excimer laser is often used for this procedure; this produces an ultraviolet light that is vaporizing unwanted tissues. This procedure would alter the contour and shape of the cornea thus correcting mild to moderate refractive errors.

The most common eye laser procedures are the PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy), LASIK (Laser Assisted situ Keratectomy), the recently developed LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis), and the Epi-LASIK.

In PRK the doctor removes the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) using a surgical blade. A computer guided laser beam is then used to cut and vaporize tissues in the cornea. It usually removes just enough tissue to reshape the cornea thus resulting in improved vision. Healing process for this type of procedure is usually a 5 days to 1 week.

LASIK surgery involves making a flap in the cornea using a blade or a laser; this procedure is known to be much more complicated and difficult. Then a laser is used to vaporize tissues inside the cornea; this will improve its shape that will lead to good vision. After enough tissues are removed, the flaps will be returned back to its original position. Healing in this case will be more quickly than PRK.

Recent developments in LASIK lead to the use of Wavefront technology which could produce a detailed topographical map of the eye. With this information surgeons could precisely correct the eyes vision.

LASEK is a variation and combination between PRK and LASIK. The outer layer of the cornea is cut and is loosen with alcohol so that it could be lifted as a whole. Then the laser beam is used to take off tissues under the epithelium, as with PRK. After the laser procedure is finished, the epithelium is put back into place and left to heal. This usually takes about two weeks to heal and is recommended to correct minor vision problems.

Epi-Lasik is a modification of the LASEK. In this case the layer of the cornea is removed using a blunt mechanical device instead of a sharp blade.

As in all surgery, a thorough medical checkup is required before anyone could undergo any procedure. But rest assured that any procedure you choose will lead you to a vision-clear future ahead.