Laser Eye Surgery- Facts & History

Laser Eye Surgery - Facts & History

Laser eye surgery is a procedure performed by ophthalmologists using laser beam. It is done to correct eye problems like astigmatism (where eyes have a focusing problem because they may be too near each other or too far apart); myopia or short sightedness and other such defects. Laser surgery is also done to correct vision problems. It is relatively safe to use laser for eye surgical operations and there is evidence that majority of these operations are successful. Some of these procedures are used so that the patient need not wear spectacles or contact lenses. Read about the anatomy of human eye or see a simple laser eye surgery video to understand things better.

Laser eye surgery is a procedure where a thin flap is created on the eye surface (called the cornea) and folded so that the surgeon can remodel the tissue below it with the help of laser. Then the flap is put back in position and allowed to heal. Normally the patient is just given a local anesthesia or some anesthetic eye drops when the surgery is done and he can walk out (with adequate protection of the operated eye) soon without any need of hospitalization. The patient recovers very fast after laser eye surgery. See a laser eye surgery video.

Laser eye surgery is also called Lasik which stands for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis.

Perhaps the first laser assisted eye operation was performed around 1950 by a Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer and since then many other doctors, ophthalmologists and surgeons round the world have improved upon his technique or discovered newer methods of corrective eye surgery using laser on thousands of patients.

Refractive surgery is the term used when an ophthalmologist changes a patient’s eye measurements by a surgical procedure. Rangaswamy Srinivasan found out that an ultraviolet laser could perform an operation without damaging the surrounding tissue in 1980. Since then UV lasers were used to correct optical difficulties.

Dr Gholam Peyman was granted the first patent for Lasik in 1989. This technique was in use in other countries till it finally reached the US.

Laser eye surgery has become very popular because it is quick, safe and one can see the improvement immediately. The only drawback for some are the costs of laser eye surgery. These can be offset by loans. Also there is less pain and discomfort when this method is used. Over the years the technique has improved greatly, based on advanced technology as well as the advances in operating.

Before laser eye surgery patients wearing lens are asked to stop using them (contact lenses) from a few days earlier. This period depends upon how long the patient has been using the lens. The cornea is thoroughly examined to see its contours. These tests give information to the doctor about the condition of the patient’s cornea and using this information they can conduct the eye surgery precisely. The laser eye surgery is precision surgery and every millimeter matters. This is one of the few places where Size does matter.

The patient may be asked to take antibiotics to prevent infection after the operation. He will be asked to wear dark glasses to protect his eye from bright light and asked to rest more than before. As long as you take proper care after laser eye surgery, you should be fine. Always consult your surgeon, if in any doubt.

He will be given eye drops so that the eyes do not become dry and he will be asked to prevent rubbing the eyes till they are fully healed.

Today laser eye surgeries are safe and reliable and millions round the world undergo such operations on a regular basis.

Related Posts:-

* Human Eye Anatomy for Laymen

* Side effects of Laser Eye Surgery

* Complications of Laser Eye Surgery

* EK Surgery - What isEndothelial Keratoplasty?