Laser Vision Correction Options

Why would you want to consider laser vision correction? For many people wearing glasses or contact lens is a discomfort they would like to forget. They become tired of waking up in the morning and seeing everything in a fuss. They want to see the sunrise, swim and see through the water clearly or play with their children without fear their glasses will fall off. For some it is an issue of vanity while still others feel it interferes in the way they are able to perform their chosen occupations. But whatever the issue is many people want to find an alternative to wearing something that will correct their vision and allow them to see the way they did when they were younger.

LASIK is the most commonly used laser corrective vision procedure. This procedure is actually much simpler than you may think. The surgeon will reshape the eye in a safe manner that will increase the ability of the eye to focus. But, there are several options to laser surgery that must be decided on before the surgery is done. The most common method is LASIK which uses a laser to correct the shape of the cornea with the treatment taking less than a minute. No stitches are needed with this procedure where everything is carefully replaced at the end and resealed naturally. The patient will be asked to focus on a large red light to help minimize eye movement.

Photorefractive keratectomy is an older form of laser surgery. The difference is that this one does not require the tissue to be moved before the procedure is done. It is also known as the one that is better for those people who have dry eyes issues, and also whose those with thin corneas. This procedure is also good for those who are farsighted, nearsighted or have astigmatism. About twenty percent of those who are looking at laser vision correction choose this option.

Despite gigantic advances in the field of refractive surgery, there are still considerable risks involved and a significant number of patients end up with substantial complications and are unhappy with the results. These complications include severe debilitating dry eyes, infections of the corneal flap, and visual aberrations due to the introduction of high order aberrations. The latter include starbursts, halos, glare and double images that are not correctable by the use of spectacles and contact lenses. Therefore a decision to undertake LASIK or PRK should not be taken lightly. It is essential to choose a refractive surgeon with a good reputation and the choice must not be based on price alone.