Conditions that laser eye surgery can treat
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
ASTIGMATISM:
Astigmatism is a very common structural problem in the eye which occurs when the corneas change from a round shape to an oval shape. This causes difficulty seeing objects both close-up and far away. Left unresolved, the condition can cause squinting and headaches. Wearing glasses or contact lenses can help. However, they don’t actually cure the astigmatism.
Lasik eye surgery is the most popular surgical procedure for correcting vision and is highly effective in correcting astigmatism. This laser procedure reshapes the cornea’s surface by flattening the steep curve associated with this condition and restored the original round shape of the eye. Lasik eye surgery can restore 20/20 vision in patients who suffer from mild to moderate astigmatism. Patients with severe astigmatism may not be able to achieve perfect vision using this procedure, but it may help to dramatically reduce the severity of the condition. Additionally, many patients with severe astigmatism opt to have multiple surgeries to fully correct their vision. Laser eye surgery prices vary according to treatment, so research the subject comprehensively before you decide where to have your surgery carried out.
SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS (MYOPIA):
Myopia occurs when near objects appear clear but distant objects are blurry. The eye is too long and/or the cornea is too steep for its focusing ability, thus objects are blurry. Myopia is often first noticed in school-aged children or teenagers. Myopia gets worse during the growth years. People who are near-sighted need to change glasses or contact lenses often. The condition usually stops deteriorating as a person stops growing in his or her early twenties. Symptoms and side effects include eye-strain and headaches. It is estimated that up to a third of the British population have some degree of myopia.
Routine cases of myopia are especially good candidates for laser eye surgery and are usually corrected through the LASIK procedure. During laser eye surgery your cornea is reshaped to eliminate the prescription in your glasses or contact lenses. When a person is short sighted the cornea is made less powerful, ensuring that after the surgery the patient has perfect vision. The results of Lasik laser eye surgery are usually good for people who have myopia. While it may not always be possible to completely cure the short-sightedness, around nine out of 10 people experience a significant improvement in their symptoms.
FAR-SIGHTEDNESS (HYPEROPIA)
Far-sightedness is a relatively common problem, affecting about one in four people. It's often an inherited condition. Nearly all babies are born with hyperopia but their sight develops as they grow. In some people the sight does not develop as expected and the hyperopia develops or even worsens. This happens because the eye is too short and/or the cornea is too flat to focus effectively.
The result of hyperopia is that near objects look blurry and far objects look clear. People who suffer from far sightedness can often sharpen their sight near objects with effort, which can cause eye-strain and resulting headaches.
Hyperopia correction through laser eye surgery involves the use of an excimer laser to alter the cornea's shape and adjust the refractive power of the eye. By increasing the curvature of the cornea, the eye is better able to focus images on the retina, reducing far sightedness. Because hyperopia often worsens with age, prospective patients should research the age limit for laser eye surgery, if applicable.
Both Lasik and PRK/LASEK surgeries are used to treat far sightedness. The options include PRK and Lasik. Whichever method is used, the procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia and is finished in minutes. Depending on the type of treatment chosen by the surgeon, it can take anything from a week to several months for full recovery after laser eye surgery; for this reason, some people who have PRK may choose to have one eye operated on at a time.
To learn more about the treatment options available in London and the UK, go to www.eyesurgerycompare.co.uk
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