Laser treatment for eyes
Laser treatment for eyes
Popularly known as the LASIK, the laser treatment for eyes is a simple surgery that is performed to correct vision problems such as astigmatism, shortsightedness or long-sightedness in people. The treatment involves use of laser to chop off some part of the cornea, reshaping it to the correct configuration using the excimer laser, and then lightly placing it back in position. Laser treatment for eyes is mainly preferred due its precision, and reduction of risks that are normally associated with eye surgeries. Using local anesthesia, the whole process takes less than ten minutes to complete.
Using laser treatment for eyes on other eye problems
Laser treatment can be used to address numerous eye problems, especially those that would ordinarily require some surgery to rectify. The following are some of such conditions, and how laser treatment for eyes can be effectively used to correct them.
1.Retinopathy
Laser treatment still remains the major treatment for this disorder. Normally, it involves a simple procedure that is performed in a darkened room in the hospital. Local anesthetic drops are put into the affected eyes, and focused under a laser lamp. Different modes of this form of laser treatment for eyes can be applied, depending on the specific eye defect. The laser rays are normally shone on the retina under very high concentration in form of light flashes that usually last for few microseconds. The only thing that you are likely to experience is some mild discomfort as the doctor flashes the laser light into your eyes.
2.Maculopathy
This is a condition where the macula, which is the most sensitive part of the retina, is affected. The treatment involves focusing the laser rays to the eyes at different angles. The process is painless and no discomfort may be experienced. The process is called burning, as it aims at reducing the effects of “darkness” in the patient’s vision as caused by the leakage in the retina.
Since this condition is mainly triggered by diabetes, controlling diabetes goes a long way in ensuring fast recovery from the diabetic maculopathy.
3.Proliferative retinopathy
Surprisingly, during the maculopathy laser treatment for eyes, the proliferative retinopathy could sometimes develop. Treating this condition follows the norm, done through a laser slit lamp. 1200 plus are required for each session as more than this could lead to eye inflammation while too little won’t have any significant effect.The main difference between treatment of proliferative retinopathy and the maculopathy is that in the former, usually the peripherals of the retina are the ones subjected to the laser radiation while in the latter; focus is at the center of the retina.For the first few days of treatment, you are likely to experience some discomfort and a blurred vision. The eye may ache for sometime, however, should the problem persist anti-inflammatory drops could be necessary.
The downside of laser treatment for eyes
Though considered the most successful mode of treating minor eye defects such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia; laser treatment may have the following adverse effects. Note that, before the laser treatment for eyes is administered, the patient must first undergo what is known as suitability test to ascertain that the treatment will be more beneficial that harmful.
• Vision loss is the most serious outcome of a laser eye treatment gone wrong. This occurs when, during treatment, the cornea flap is not cut accurately leading to cornea’s failure to function. In most instances, the result is a blurred vision with extreme case being a permanent loss of eyesight. Once the damage is done, there is nothing that can be done about it-it is permanent.
• Adverse visual symptoms. These include having double vision, halos and glare after the laser treatment for eyes has been done. As a result, the vision is impaired, and may become worse than it was initially especially at night.
• Risk of over treatment or under treatment. Normally, even after the laser treatment, a very small percentage gets 100% eye correction. For most people, the problem still persists and may be required to wear glasses or contact lenses even after undergoing the laser treatment.
• Development of a condition known as the severe dry eye syndrome. This means that the eyes hardly produce any tears to keep the eye moist. This can severely affect vision quality and cause discomfort. In some instances, the syndrome is temporary and can be addressed using intensive eye drop therapy, however, should it be permanent, the patient must learn to live with it.
• Lastly, the other common downside of laser treatment for eyes is diminishing results with age. This is especially so for the farsighted vision patients, whereby the problem slowly returns necessitating the need for another laser treatment.
The following factors are usually considered in testing your suitability for the laser treatment of the eyes. Your doctor will measure the corneal thickness and mapping, air pressure, pupil dilation and refraction. He then will advise you accordingly whether you should proceed with the laser treatment. When it is not suitable, implanted contact lens may be the next best alternative.
