Laser Eye Surgery FAQ - What is Laser Eye Surgery?
Dr. Frank Thomnpson asked:
As with any other procedure, it is important to have as much information as possible regarding laser eye surgery. You might have questions you want to ask your doctor to give you piece of mind as well as to help you make more informed decisions. Common questions might include what exactly it is, what goes on before, during and after surgery, how to tell if it is indeed an option for you, etc. The following are some of the most common questions.
First of all, what is laser eye surgery? This is the term that refers to the procedure that corrects visual disorders such as myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness and astigmatism. Laser eye surgeries may permanently terminate the need for glasses or contact lenses, thus giving the patient a more acute sense of freedom and visual acuity.
How exactly does the laser correct the vision problems? Through a laser vision apparatus and control method, short beams of invisible lasers take out minute tissue samples from the cornea to properly align the curvature. The tissue is so miniscule that it’s actually less thick than a strand of human hair. By removing this tissue, the retina is able to focus on the images better and so the images become clearer.
What are the types? There are generally two types: PRK or photorefractive keratectomy and Lasik or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Under these umbrella terms, several other procedures are categorized. PRK is a procedure that uses an excimer laser that removes the outer layer of the cornea, which is then reshaped to correct the eye disorder. Lasik is another refractive procedure that uses a surgical instrument to create a flap under the cornea. This flap is then lifted after which the laser reshapes the cornea.
Who are good candidates for laser eye surgery? People over 21 years of age are good candidates for laser eye surgery. They must not have severe eye disorders such as glaucoma. A visit to an eye specialist can help the patient determine if this is the best way to correct your myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
How safe is the procedure? People all over the world have had laser vision correction surgery successfully performed on them. Laser surgery is very safe, takes less than ten minutes on the whole and patients may expect full recovery in a matter of days.
How much is laser eye surgery? The usual cost for it is about $1,500 dollars per eye. This covers pre-operative and post-operative visits as well.
As with any other procedure, it is important to have as much information as possible regarding laser eye surgery. You might have questions you want to ask your doctor to give you piece of mind as well as to help you make more informed decisions. Common questions might include what exactly it is, what goes on before, during and after surgery, how to tell if it is indeed an option for you, etc. The following are some of the most common questions.
First of all, what is laser eye surgery? This is the term that refers to the procedure that corrects visual disorders such as myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness and astigmatism. Laser eye surgeries may permanently terminate the need for glasses or contact lenses, thus giving the patient a more acute sense of freedom and visual acuity.
How exactly does the laser correct the vision problems? Through a laser vision apparatus and control method, short beams of invisible lasers take out minute tissue samples from the cornea to properly align the curvature. The tissue is so miniscule that it’s actually less thick than a strand of human hair. By removing this tissue, the retina is able to focus on the images better and so the images become clearer.
What are the types? There are generally two types: PRK or photorefractive keratectomy and Lasik or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Under these umbrella terms, several other procedures are categorized. PRK is a procedure that uses an excimer laser that removes the outer layer of the cornea, which is then reshaped to correct the eye disorder. Lasik is another refractive procedure that uses a surgical instrument to create a flap under the cornea. This flap is then lifted after which the laser reshapes the cornea.
Who are good candidates for laser eye surgery? People over 21 years of age are good candidates for laser eye surgery. They must not have severe eye disorders such as glaucoma. A visit to an eye specialist can help the patient determine if this is the best way to correct your myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
How safe is the procedure? People all over the world have had laser vision correction surgery successfully performed on them. Laser surgery is very safe, takes less than ten minutes on the whole and patients may expect full recovery in a matter of days.
How much is laser eye surgery? The usual cost for it is about $1,500 dollars per eye. This covers pre-operative and post-operative visits as well.