Those with poor vision that requires contact lenses or glasses often consider laser eye surgery to fix their sight. Ultimately, laser eye surgery usually offers a permanent solution to poor vision, but there are some cases where problems can occur.
In this article, we’re going to look closer at what laser eye surgery is, how it works and exactly what risks are associated with it. In general, it’s a very safe procedure that can dramatically improve your quality of life. But, it’s always worth speaking with an experienced optometrist or eye surgeon to make sure that you understand the procedure and what it involves.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
To put it simply, laser eye surgery involves removing a small part of your eye tissue to fix issues with light focusing. When performed correctly, there’s a high chance of you coming out of the procedure with 20/20 vision, or at least something very close.
There are three main types of laser eye surgery, including:
- SMILE, or small incision lenticule extraction. This procedure is used for short-sightedness and astigmatism, and generally comes with great results, a fast recovery, and less side-effects.
- LASIK, or laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis. LASIK surgery involves two steps. First, the cornea is folded back to expose the underlying tissue. Following this, microscopic amounts of tissue are removed to reshape the surface of the eye. This procedure usually takes no more than 15 minutes, and vision improvements are noticeable immediately.
- ASA, or advanced surface ablation. This is more invasive than SMILE or LASIK surgeries and is generally only used for those who have other problems with their eyes. It’s the oldest type of laser eye surgery available, and the results are usually excellent.
As you can see, there are a few different types of laser eye surgery available. All forms of laser surgery are permanent in almost all cases, although there is a very small chance of regression. Your surgeon will be able to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Laser Eye Surgery
Ultimately, all surgery has risks associated with it, and laser eye surgery is no different. Although outcomes are usually excellent, there are a few potential side effects to be aware of, including:
- Permanently dry eyes, which usually correct themselves within 6 months.
- Trouble seeing in bright or dim light conditions in the weeks following your surgery.
- Over or under correction, which can require further surgery to repair.
- Vision loss, which occurs in very rare cases, but is a serious risk worth being aware of.
In general, laser eye surgery is very safe. However, it’s worth being aware of the potential side effects.
Speak to Your Local Optometrist for More Information
If you would like more information about laser surgery, what it involves and the associated risks, we’d highly recommend getting in touch with your local optometrist. And remember, laser eye surgery is almost always permanent, but there are cases where regression can occur.