Laser Eye Surgery for Vision Correction: Is It Right for You?
The recent developments in the field of ophthalmology have created a major shift towards successful eye surgeries and treatments.
The recent developments in the field of ophthalmology have created a major shift towards successful eye surgeries and treatments. The advancement of laser eye procedure in the market has made people aware and given them a new ray of hope to treat their eyesight.
Who Can Be the Right Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery?
A laser surgery is not a usual surgery that is appropriate for everyone. It includes certain eligibility criteria, including a few terms and conditions. Here are the ideal candidates for the laser eye procedure:
- People Above 18 Years of Age
Those who are looking for eye surgery should be at least 18 years of age. As the vision continues to change during the teenage years, a stable vision is important for undergoing laser surgery.
- Individuals with Stable Vision
A person whose power has remained unchanged, but for at least 1 to 2 years, is considered a suitable candidate. Frequent changes in vision can affect the long-term result.
- An Individual with a Healthy Cornea
A damaged cornea can risk complications after the surgery. So, a person should have a sufficient thickness of the cornea and a healthy eye structure.
- People with Overall Good Health
Autoimmune diseases and uncontrolled diabetes may affect and slow down the recovery procedure. So, candidates should control their medical condition and have good health to heal better after the surgery.
- People Free from Serious Eye Conditions
Laser eye surgery is generally performed to improve the vision of the person. Individuals who are suffering from cataract, severe dry eye, infection, or glaucoma are not considered safe for laser eye surgery.
SMILE or LASIK- Which One to Choose?
SMILE and LASIK are both advanced procedures for laser eye correction. Laser eye surgeons can perform any of the surgeries, but the final choice lies with you, as both have different advantages:
- Surgical Procedure
SMILE: A minimally invasive procedure where a specialist uses a small incision to make and a thin layer of the corneal tissue is removed.
LASIK: LASIK creates a corneal flap before surgery, which is considered a more invasive procedure.
- Corneal Flap
SMILE: This procedure does not include the creation of a flap, which minimises the chances of complications during recovery.
LASIK: In this procedure, a thin flap on the cornea is lifted during the surgery, which is repositioned afterwards.
- Dry Eye Symptoms
SMILE: After performing SMILE, your eyes get dry as a symptom due to fewer corneal layers and nerves affected during the procedure.
LASIK: On the other hand, with LASIK, your eyes can be temporarily dry during the initial period of recovery.
- Recovery Time
SMILE: SMILE treatment offers quick recovery, but vision stabilisation is longer in some cases.
LASIK: In LASIK, faster recovery is seen, and patients express clear vision within 24 hours.
- Technology and Availability
SMILE: As SMILE is a new technology for laser eye surgery, it is not available in every eye centre.
LASIK: Being a traditional method, it is widely available at many centres with different locations.
Conclusion
Laser eye surgery enhances your eye health, and it decreases the dependence on glasses or contact lenses. But also, people need to learn about the surgery expenses along with the potential hazards as post-treatment care to proceed with the operation. For this, seeking professional advice from an eye specialist is important.