Corrective eye surgery
Many people have to wear glasses or contacts due to having poor vision. For many of those people their vision may be drastically improved by having corrective eye surgery. Although many people may be fearful of having corrective eye surgery because it sounds scary or invasive, the procedure is really very simple. The procedure is usually quick and painless and the patient is able to go home shortly after the corrective surgery is completed.
There are a couple different types of corrective eye surgery that one can choose from. The two types that are commonly used are called Lasik and PRK. Both of these forms of corrective eye surgery allow the patient to be fully awake and aware of what is going on. The eyes are numbed with eye drops and the patient does not feel a thing.
The goal with both forms of corrective eye surgery is the same and that is to reshape the inner layer of the cornea to improve the functioning of the eye and to restore proper vision. However, the techniques used to reach the cornea are a little different with each procedure. When using the Lasik approach to corrective eye surgery, the surgeon uses a tiny blade to make a cut on the outer layer of the cornea in order to reach the under layer. Once the inner layer of the cornea is reshaped, the outer layer is then replaced. With the PRK procedure the outer layer is removed completely through manual scraping. This means that the outer layer of the cornea will not be replaced during surgery but will need time to grow back on its own.
Although the general outcome of both the surgeries is to improve the vision of the patient, the recovery time may vary depending on the procedure used. Lasik surgery typically has a faster recovery and vision may be restored immediately. Usually within the first 24 hours the patient’s vision is dramatically improved. The common side effects of Lasik surgery may be initial sensitivity towards light and some blurred vision, both clearing up within a short amount of time. With the PRK procedure the patient may need a few extra days to recover since the outer layer of the cornea needs time to grow and heal. The vision may not be fully restored or improved for a few days post surgery.
There are several other variations of these surgeries that are being used more and more often. Only your optometrist will be able to determine what type of corrective eye surgery would benefit you the most. Some of the surgeries may offer more benefits than others depending on your individual case. Although corrective eye surgery can improve your vision quite a bit, there is no guarantee that you will have perfect 20/20 vision after the surgery. Some people who had really poor vision prior to surgery may still need to wear glasses or contacts after surgery however they may need a weaker prescription.
Some people report having blurry vision or a light haze over their eyes for some time after surgery. This may or may not go away with time. As with most surgeries there are some risks involved. For most people the surgery is a success and worth the risks.
If you are unsure whether you are a candidate for corrective eye surgery and would like more information, you should schedule an eye exam and discuss your concerns with your optometrist. After reviewing your case and examining your eyes and vision, only then will they know if corrective eye surgery would be right for you.
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