Laser vision correction

Laser vision correction (LASIK, Intralase, PRK)

1. Laser vision correction (LASIK, Intralase, PRK) is intended to reduce dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

2. Several techniques are being used for laser vision correction. The most common one is LASIK. In this procedure, a flap of the cornea is raised, and a laser is used underneath to remove excess corneal tissue according to the desired correction. Then the flap is placed back to its original position. The flap may be created with a very fine blade (microkeratome) in LASIK or with a laser in Intralase.

3. Laser vision correction is a surgery. It is successful in most cases (over 95%), depending on the degree of the refraction, but complications may occur.

4. Laser vision correction is not performed if the cornea is too thin or the refractive error is too high. It is not performed in severe dry eyes and in certain eye diseases (such as scleritis, episcleritis, and herpetic keratitis) or systemic diseases that prevent or delay healing (such as psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren syndrome). Laser surgery is not recommended after herpetic eye disease. Laser vision correction is not recommended for patients on systemic steroids and immunosuppressants, and for patients with a tendency for excessive scarring.

5. Laser surgery is currently performed to improve vision for distance. New techniques are being developed to correct both distant and near vision, but until these techniques are more established, if you correct your distant vision by laser, you may still need glasses for near vision (e.g., reading) over the age of 45.

6. Individuals with -2.00 to -3.50 diopters may need reading glasses over the age of 45 if they undergo laser vision correction for distance. It may be better to refrain from laser surgery if you have -2.50 to -3.50 diopters. Thus, after the age of 45-50, they will only need to remove their glasses for distance and be able to read without glasses for near. Glasses for near are more difficult to manage than glasses for far.

7. Near-vision correction in one eye and far-vision correction in the fellow eye (monovision) is not desirable for most people, because after laser correction, it will be impossible to use both eyes at the same time for a certain distance.

8. The most common side effects of laser surgery are glare and dryness. These usually resolve within 3 months. Overcorrection or undercorrection may also occur and may require additional laser surgery.

9. The major complication of laser surgery is loss of vision in approximately 1 in 2,000 surgeries. This complication may be caused by infection or incorrect tissue removal. In such instances, vision may remain permanently impaired even with glasses or contact lenses.

10. Laser vision correction is usually performed in individuals over 21 years old and with stable refraction for 2 years. In rare cases, it may be performed in children.

11. Laser surgery does not prevent the development of cataract (lens opacity) and other eye diseases that may cause a decrease in vision. Many individuals develop cataracts over the years, and this is not related to laser vision correction.

12. If you decide to undergo laser vision correction, ask your surgeon to provide you with a copy of your medical record before laser surgery and keep it in case you need to undergo other eye surgeries in the future.

13. Having laser vision correction does not guarantee complete independence from glasses and does not protect you from the development of cataracts.

14. If you have already been diagnosed as having cataracts, laser vision correction is not the best option for you.

15. Other details may be found in Basic Lasik: Tips on Lasik Eye Surgery.

The author is not responsible for the application of any of the suggestions appearing or not appearing on these pages, and these cannot be a basis for any claim whatsoever.