All about Lasik and its treatment
Overview
LASIK, full form Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a corrective eye surgery done to improve vision. In general, patients who have undergone LASIK surgery can achieve 20/20 vision, but in most cases, it has been found that they may need eyeglasses later on.
The cornea of the eye acts like a camera lens that focuses light on the retina and creates an image. This is the refraction of light. Many times, the shape of the cornea is distorted, the lens is out of focus, or there may be some problem in the eye that may result in imperfect visions. These types of imperfections in visions are called refractive errors. This happens when the eye is not able to bend or focus the light properly.
These refractive errors may cause different types of eye conditions like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. People suffering from myopia have difficulty seeing distant objects whereas, in hyperopia, the problem is with seeing objects that are near to them. Astigmatism causes a distortion of the images.
Your ophthalmologists may suggest corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, in patients with a high degree of refractive errors, doctors may also suggest a refractive surgery like LASIK for better results.
What is LASIK Surgery?
In LASIK surgery, your ophthalmologist will use a specialized laser beneath the corneal flap (in situ), to correct the shape of the cornea (keratomileusis). The procedure is done to correct refractive errors by changing the shape of the cornea, improve vision, and remove the need for wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses.
Why is LASIK Surgery done?
LASIK surgery is mostly done for the correction of vision problems. It can be done on patients suffering from the following eye diseases:
Myopia (short-sightedness): Myopia is a common eye problem where people have no problem in seeing objects that are near to them, but has difficulty in seeing far-away objects. Here, the objects near to you appear clear but distant objects seem blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is longer than usual and the cornea curves are too sharp, and the light rays focus the image in front of the retina causing a blurry vision.
Common symptoms of Myopia:
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty seeing distant objects
- Squinting the eyes to see the objects more clearly
- Eyestrain
- Headaches due to eye strain
- Fatigue eyes
- Difficulty driving especially during the nights
Myopia symptoms in children:
- Blinking of the eyes
- The child may want to sit closer to the blackboard in the school or near the television to watch programs
- Continuous eye rubbing
- Less aware of distant objects
Hyperopia (long-sightedness): Patients suffering from hyperopia can see distant objects clearly but objects that are near to them may seem blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is slightly shorter than the average size and the cornea is too flat. In this case, the light does not reflect on the cornea but behind it.
Symptoms of hyperopia:
- The objects that are near to you may appear blurry
- Strain in the eyes
- May have to squint the eyes to view
- Burning eyes
- Pain in and around the eyes
- General discomfort doing normal activities like reading, computer work, or writing
- Headaches
- Eye fatigue
Hyperopia symptoms in children:
- Persistent headaches
- Eyestrain
- Blurry vision
- Trouble reading
- Eye fatigue
Astigmatism (blurry vision): This happens when the shape of your eyeball is not normal. Ideally, our eyeball should be like a perfect round ball. But if there is a distortion in the curvature between the shape of our eyeball, cornea, and lens, then we get blurry vision or astigmatism. Patients suffering from myopia or hyperopia can also have astigmatism.
Symptoms of Astigmatism:
- Blurred vision
- Strain in the eyes
- Headaches
- Trouble in night vision
- Frequent squinting of the eyes
Astigmatism symptoms in children:
- Distorted vision
- Frequent headaches
- Discomfort in the eyes
- Squinting of the eyes
- Constant blinking of the eyes
- Closing one eye with a hand to see images on the television or to read
- Eye sensitivity from bright lights
Who can have LASIK Surgery?
Before having a LASIK surgery your doctor might look out whether you are an ideal candidate for a LASIK surgery or not. Here are some prerequisites to consider before having the surgery:
- A patient must be at least 18 years old to undergo LASIK surgery. However, the ideal age for LASIK surgery is 21 years because by that time the cornea of the eye stops developing and the eye vision is static and is less likely to change.
- There has not been any major change in the eye prescription of the patient in the past year.
- The patient has a high-degree refractive error that can only be treated with LASIK surgery.
- The eye is healthy.
- The cornea is healthy and has the right thickness.
- You must be aware of the realistic expectations of LASIK surgery.
Who cannot have LASIK Surgery?
Some people may not be good candidates for LASIK surgery. They either have unhealthy eyes or have some underlying health problems that may prohibit them to undergo LASIK surgery. Your doctor may suggest you not have a LASIK surgery if you have any or more of the following conditions:
- The refractive error is unstable and changes intermittently.
- Extreme degrees of hyperopia, myopia, or astigmatism cannot be cured by LASIK surgery.
- Severe eye dryness.
- The cornea is too thin.
- The patient has corneal abrasions.
- Other eye conditions like glaucoma, cataract, or eye infections.
- History of eye infections.
- Keratoconus cornea, or thin, or bulging cornea like a cone.
- Diabetes is not well managed.
- Pregnant women.
- Nursing mothers.
LASIK Procedure
Before the surgery:
A doctor will examine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery. The ophthalmologist will conduct an eye exam to examine:
- The surface of the eye
- To test for dryness
- Measure the cornea
- Refractive error of the eye
- Measure pupil size
- Check for other eye-related problems
An instrument called a corneal topographer will be used to measure the size and shape of the cornea. A wavefront analysis will be done to map your cornea and to find out abrasions on the eye. An OCT (optical coherence tomography) is used to make split-second measurements of the surface on the back of the eye to rule out any complications during the LASIK surgery.
Your ophthalmologist will ask you not to wear contact lenses at least for two weeks prior to the surgery as it may alter the natural size and shape of the cornea.
During the surgery:
LASIK surgery is done on an outpatient basis and does not need hospitalization. However, you need someone to accompany you during the day of the surgery.
- Eyedrops will be applied to numb your eye.
- An eye holder and a suction ring will be used to prevent your eye from moving. A lid speculum is used so that your eye remains open.
- As your eye goes numb, you will feel pressure on your eye, and slowing your vision will become dim.
- The ophthalmologist will then use a laser or a microkeratome to make a thin flap on the cornea. The flap is folded back so that your doctor can have a clear view of the rest of the cornea.
- The doctor uses the laser beam to reshape the cornea by removing corneal tissue.
- Your doctor will ask you to focus on a target light and keep your eye fixed so that the doctor can reshape the cornea.
- After the procedure is over, the doctor puts the flap back in its position. Natural adhesion helps the cornea to heal by itself. Stitches are not needed.
- You can hear the clicking sound of the laser beam during the procedure or smell a distinct odor of the burning corneal tissue as it is removed from the cornea.
After the surgery
After the surgery, you have to rest for a while.
- You may have some itching or burning sensation in the eye.
- Some people may have blurry vision immediately after the surgery.
- After doing a post-op check, your doctor will release you to go home.
- You must not drive or travel on your own and must be accompanied by a friend or a family member.
- It may take a few months to get stable eye vision.
- The chances of improved vision depend on the degree of your refractive error before the surgery.
Postoperative care
- The doctor will give you an eye shield which you can wear during your sleep or outside.
- Your doctor will ask for a follow-up visit after two or three days of the surgery to check the healing process and to rule out any complications from the surgery.
- Apply the eye drops and follow the schedule as directed by your doctor.
- Do not apply cosmetics in and around your affected eye.
- Avoid strenuous activities, swimming, or sports for at least a few weeks or as advised by the doctor.
- Avoid taking showers or use soap or water in and around the eyes.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eye from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
- Do not rub your eyes even if it is itching.
Risks and Side Effects of LASIK Surgery
There are some side effects and risks involved in LASIK surgery.
Common side effects include:
- Mild eye pain
- Discomfort in the eye
- Haziness
- Seeing halos
- Itching
- Light sensitivity
- The appearance of pink or red patches around the affected eye.
These side effects generally disappear after a few days of the surgery.
Rare and severe risks include:
- Blindness
- Severe infection in the eye
- Deterioration in vision compared to what it was before the LASIK surgery
What to Eat After having LASIK Surgery?
You must eat foods that will improve the natural healing process of your body.
- Doctors will encourage you to take light meals for a few days after the LASIK surgery.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Proteins rich in amino acids like chicken, eggs, nuts, beans, and omega-3 fatty acids like fish can help in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
- Vitamin C supplements and antioxidants.
- Healthy fats like dairy, dark chocolate, olive oil, nuts, chia seeds can reduce eye inflammation.
- Carbohydrates like oatmeal and brown rice boost your immune system.
- Limit your sugar intake.
Recovery Time
Generally, it takes 3 to 6 months to recover fully from a LASIK surgery.
LASIK surgery is a laser procedure to correct vision problems. Some of the health conditions that may predispose you to vision problems include rheumatoid arthritis, hormonal changes, and an inflamed cornea. Contact lenses and glasses may help to correct vision. However, if the cornea requires reshaping, this can only be achieved by eye surgery. It is advisable that you seek timely medical attention to reduce the pain and suffering caused by vision problems.
Benefits of LASIK surgery in Bangalore
- Affordable cost
- Less invasive
- Minimal risks
- State-of-the-art medical care
- Transport facilities before and after the surgery
Why goficure is the best place to have LASIK treatment in Bangalore?
Goficure works closely with leading ophthalmologists in Bangalore who are highly skilled in conducting LASIK treatment. We highly recommend laser surgery to correct your vision problems over conventional eye surgery because the procedure is fast, effective, and is less painful. This is due to the numbing drops used with the procedure. Moreover, LASIK surgery helps to correct vision almost immediately, plus there are no stitches or bandages involved. We offer a very attractive healthcare package for LASIK treatment in Bangalore. Goficure will help you to schedule your consultation with the most skilled ophthalmologists in Bangalore. We have also partnered with various hospitals in Bangalore that specialize in LASIK treatment. We will make arrangements to have you picked from your home on the day you are scheduled to undergo surgery. Our team of health experts will prepare you for surgery and also offer post-op care. We also make arrangements to have you driven back home after the procedure. We liaise with leading nutritionists in Bangalore so that they can advise you on what to eat after surgery. Such a diet will promote wound tissue regeneration and by extension, wound healing.
Exclusive features you get with goficure
1. Dedicated Medi-Pal
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to you. Your Medi-Pal will be your one point contact throughout the treatment and post-op period. They will always be available for you
2. Quick doctor’s appointments
After understanding your concerns, your Medi-Pal will schedule your consultation with a specialist doctor. Your doctor will carry out necessary tests and advise the course of treatment
3. Hassle-free treatment
If you opt to get the surgery done, goficure will take care of it completely. Right from booking your surgery, claiming your insurance to being with you throughout the procedure, your Medi-Pal will do it all
4. Post-op recovery support
Your Medi-Pal would ensure quick recovery. This includes booking your follow up consultations and helping you with doctor-recommended steps for diet & exercise
Guarantees
Smooth and hassle-free
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Why Goficure?
Specialist doctors
Our doctors are vetted for their experience and skills. Rest assured, you are in safe hands. The best treatment for your condition is delivered all the time
Medi-Pal assistance
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to take care of the entire process. This includes booking your appointments, scheduling the surgery, handling your documentation including claiming insurance, discharge, and post-op recovery
Affordability
Goficure delivers high-quality treatment to you at affordable prices. Superior treatment and best quality of service is assured while keeping costs reasonable
Post procedure care and follow-ups
Our engagement doesn't end after your surgery. It continue until you go back to your normal life. Free diet and exercise consultations during your recovery phase are offered to ensure a quick recovery
Comparison
With so many options, are you wondering what the right choice for your condition is? While you can opt for either an open surgery or a laser surgery, numerous studies have shown that laser surgeries are far more effective. Be it the duration of the procedure, post-operative pain or recovery time, laser surgeries always outrank open surgeries and are therefore, a better choice. Here is a quick comparison that will help you decide your course of action.
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