What is laser eye treatment and how does it work?

A laser treatment for eyes is a form of vision correction or refractive surgery that involves reshaping the cornea with a laser. This surgery is painless and produces excellent results while posing minimal risks. It is one of the most widely used treatments to correct refractive defects such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia. It has been used since 1987.

There are a variety of eye laser therapies available today, many of which require corneal restructuring in order to enhance vision. However, knowing which choice is best for you, based on your age, refractive error, eye health, and other factors, is critical.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomyis):

The first laser eye surgery, PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomyis), was performed. The doctor administers anaesthetic eye drops before removing the epithelial layer of the cornea with a scalpel or alcohol. After the epithelial layer is removed, the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser.

LASEK (Laser Assisted Epithelial Keratomileusis):

LASEK (Laser Assisted Epithelial Keratomileusis) surgery is a PRK variant and a common LASIK alternative. You will be given anaesthetic eye drops, and a thin flap on the outer layer of the cornea will be removed. After that, an excimer laser is used to alter the cornea's form.

Epithelial LASIK:

The epithelial layer within the eye is extracted using an oscillating plastic blade in the Epithelial LASIK method. After removing the mask, the doctor reshapes the cornea with a precise laser.

LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis):

LASIK Eye Surgery is almost painless. An intralase femtosecond laser is used to construct a corneal flap in the eye during this procedure. The flap is then carefully raised, and the inner cornea is reshaped with a laser.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction):

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a cutting-edge, bladeless, painless, and minimally invasive surgery. The doctor carves out a tiny lenticule in the outer layer of the cornea with a femtosecond laser, which is then removed, and the form of the cornea is altered.

What precautions should I take after surgery?

Laser eye surgery is generally very successful and produces the best possible outcomes. However, there are some problems or side effects after surgery, such as dry eyes, night glare, increased sensitivity to light, and double vision. As a result, the following steps must be taken:

For lubrication, use eye drops recommended by your doctor.

• Avoid rubbing or squeezing your eyes.

• Wear sunglasses outside for a few weeks to shield the eyes from light exposure.

• For a while, avoid swimming and try to rest your eyes.

How can Dr. Wadgaonkar Eye Hospital help?

With highly skilled Eye Specialists in Aurangabad and innovative eye care technology, Wadgaonkar Eye Hospital is one of India's best and most trusted eye hospitals. Wadgaonkar Eye Hospital is the first in Aurangabad to perform Intralase blade-free Lasik and the SMILE technique, having pioneered laser treatment for the eyes.