Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery, also known as laser vision correction, is a type of refractive surgery used to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.

Types of Laser Eye Surgery

• LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis): a popular type of laser eye surgery that involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, which is then lifted to allow the laser to reshape the underlying tissue.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): a type of laser eye surgery that involves removing the outer layer of the cornea and reshaping the underlying tissue with the laser.
• LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratomileusis): a type of laser eye surgery that involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, but instead of lifting it, the surgeon loosens the epithelium and pushes it aside to allow the laser to reshape the underlying tissue.
• SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): a type of laser eye surgery that involves creating a small incision in the cornea and using the laser to remove a thin layer of tissue, which is then extracted through the incision.

Procedure

The procedure typically involves the following steps:

1. The patient is given numbing eye drops or a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
2. The surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea (in LASIK and LASEK) or removes the outer layer of the cornea (in PRK).
3. The laser is used to reshape the underlying tissue, according to the patient's specific prescription.
4. The flap is replaced (in LASIK and LASEK) or the epithelium is allowed to heal naturally (in PRK).
5. The patient is given protective shields to wear over their eyes to protect them from dust and other debris during the healing process.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications associated with laser eye surgery, including:

• Dry eye
• Infection
• Undercorrection or overcorrection
• Astigmatism
• Halos or glare
• Flap complications (in LASIK and LASEK)

Recovery

The recovery time for laser eye surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and individual patient factors, but most patients can expect to:

• Experience some discomfort or pain during the first few days after the procedure
• Have blurry vision or sensitivity to light during the first few days after the procedure
• Need to use eye drops to help the eyes heal and reduce dryness
• Be able to return to normal activities within a few days to a week after the procedure

Candidacy

To be a candidate for laser eye surgery, patients typically must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a stable prescription
• Have no significant eye diseases or conditions
• Have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure

Cost

The cost of laser eye surgery varies depending on the type of procedure, location, and surgeon, but on average, patients can expect to pay between $1,500 to $3,000 per eye.