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Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery, which is used to correct vision defects such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, has become quite popular in recent years. Many people who want to get rid of glasses and contact lens usage prefer this method.

In this blog post, we will answer all the questions about laser eye surgery in detail. You will learn about everything from how the surgery is performed to the recovery process, risks, and prices.

How Is Laser Eye Surgery Performed?
What Are the Advantages of Laser Eye Surgery?
Who Can Undergo Laser Eye Surgery?
How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Take?
What Is the Recovery Process Like After Laser Eye Surgery?
When Is Laser Eye Surgery Recommended?
At What Age Can Laser Eye Surgery Be Performed in Bursa?
What Should Be Considered After Laser Eye Surgery?

How Is Laser Eye Surgery Performed?

Laser eye surgery is performed by reshaping the shape of the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye, using a laser beam. This corrects the entry of light into the eye and eliminates refractive errors.

The surgery can be performed using two methods:

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)

In this method, a thin flap is created in the front part of the cornea and the underlying layer is reshaped with a laser beam. The flap is then repositioned and heals naturally. LASIK is the most commonly used laser eye surgery method and offers a fast recovery process.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

In this method, the epithelial layer of the cornea is removed and the underlying layer is reshaped with a laser beam. The epithelial layer regenerates spontaneously within a few days. PRK is a less preferred method compared to LASIK, but it can be used in patients with thin corneas or certain eye conditions as it does not create a corneal flap.

Both methods take approximately 15-30 minutes per eye and are performed under local anesthesia. Mild stinging and burning sensation in the eyes may occur after the surgery, but this condition usually disappears within a few hours.

What Are the Advantages of Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery has many advantages. After the surgery, patients can see clearly without the need for glasses or contact lenses, which is a great advantage especially for people with active lifestyles. Additionally, laser eye surgery provides better visual quality than glasses and contact lenses in many patients; in some cases, visual acuity can improve to 20/20 after the surgery. The surgery is quick and painless, usually performed under local anesthesia, and any discomfort can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers. Laser eye surgery can permanently correct refractive errors and offers a more economical solution compared to glasses or contact lenses in the long run. Thanks to these advantages, you can adopt a more confident lifestyle by getting rid of the difficulties associated with glasses and contact lenses.

Who Can Undergo Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery can be performed on individuals aged 18 and older who are in good general health and have refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. However, laser eye surgery may not be suitable in some cases. For example, certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatic diseases, can increase the risk of complications in the eyes, so they may be a contraindication for surgery. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding periods can cause fluctuations in eye numbers, so laser eye surgery is not recommended during these periods. Additionally, some eye conditions such as keratoconus, high eye pressure, and insufficient tear production can also be a barrier to surgery. Your surgeon will assess the suitability for surgery considering these factors.

How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Take?

Laser eye surgery takes approximately 15-30 minutes for each eye. This duration may vary depending on the method used and the patient's eye structure.

LASIK surgery is generally faster than PRK surgery.

Prior to the surgery, a detailed examination of the eyes is performed, and it is checked whether the numbers are stable. If the eye numbers have not been stable for the past two years, surgery may not be suitable.

What Is the Recovery Process Like After Laser Eye Surgery?

The recovery process after laser eye surgery is generally fast. Most patients can return to their normal activities within one or two days.

However, in the first few days after surgery, some side effects such as mild stinging, burning, itching, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision may occur. These side effects usually disappear within a week.

To speed up the recovery process:

Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes.
Get plenty of rest.
Use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight.
Follow your doctor's instructions.

When Is Laser Eye Surgery Recommended?

Laser eye surgery may be recommended for correcting refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. The surgery can be used to correct up to -10 diopters of myopia, +6 diopters of hyperopia, and -6 diopters of astigmatism. Additionally, laser eye surgery can offer a more comfortable lifestyle for those who are bothered by wearing glasses and contact lenses in daily life. When it is considered that glasses and contact lenses can create a financial burden in the long run, laser eye surgery can be more economical as a one-time expense. Wearing glasses and contact lenses may be restrictive in some professional groups; in such cases, laser eye surgery can provide an advantage to individuals working in these professional groups.

At What Age Can Laser Eye Surgery Be Performed in Bursa?

Laser eye surgery can be performed on individuals aged 18 and older.

However, laser eye surgery is not recommended for individuals under 18 years of age as eye development is not fully completed.

If the eye numbers have not been stable for the past two years, laser eye surgery may not be suitable.

What Should Be Considered After Laser Eye Surgery?

To protect your eyes and speed up the recovery process after laser eye surgery, you should pay attention to some points:

Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes. This can irritate your eyes and increase the risk of infection.

Get plenty of rest. Your eyes may feel tired after the surgery. Therefore, it is important to get plenty of rest and relax your eyes.

Use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist. Your eyes may become dry after the surgery. You can keep your eyes moist by using artificial tears.

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight. Sunlight can irritate your eyes and prolong the recovery process. Therefore, wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight is important.

Follow your doctor's instructions. Your doctor will give you specific instructions after the surgery. Following these instructions will help speed up the recovery process and reduce the risk of complications.

Laser eye surgery is an effective and permanent solution to get rid of glasses and contact lenses. However, like any surgical procedure, it has some risks. Therefore, it is important to gather detailed information and consult with your doctor before undergoing surgery.