Laser Eye Surgery - What Is It

<h1>Laser Eye Surgery - What Is It</h1>Author: <a title="John Mce" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/john-mce/27834.htm">John Mce</a> LES is a surgical alternative to wearing contact lenses or glasses. It is not for everyone, for some vision problems cannot be corrected, and some eyes are just not suited to it, such as dry eyes or eyes with large pupils. But for everyone else, laser eye surgery is hailed as a miracle in eyesight. 
 
Before the surgery, patients are instructed to stop wearing contact lenses, and the patients cornea is examined to determine its thickness. The doctor then analyses the shape of the cornea to determine the precise shaping requirements needed, the amount of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. Patients are usually given an antibiotic, to minimise the risk of infection after the procedure. 
 
Surgery 
In the surgery, the cornea is partially sliced using a very sharp medical knife called a microtome. Part of the cornea is lifted, then the surface underneath that is shaped by a laser. The cornea is then put back together with reduced thickness. This reduced thickness should enable patients to see very well without glasses or contact lenses. They may still need reading glasses for close work but everything else should be corrected by the surgery. 
 
Effects 
Patients typically describe seeing some haze around bright lights at night after the surgery, which is due to the cornea still being slightly rough from the laser treatment. If patients injure their eye then there is a possibility that the effected area of the cornea might shift and change, but this is rarely a problem. 
 
Occasionally, surgery can go wrong and vision can be worse than before the operation. More often it is only a problem at night when bright lights become so hazy that night driving becomes an impossibility. 
Dry and painful eyes is a common complaint, with some patients having to use artificial tear drops to moisten their eyes. 
 
These complaints are very uncommon, but the success rate of this surgery is inevitably hard to know because clibics have a vested interesting in publishing high success rates and getting more patients. Most laser eye clinics define success as having patients with 20/15 vision afterwards, and do not take into account night vision difficulties or painful dry eyes. 
 
One thing which remains impossible to know is the long term effects of laser eye surgery. It has only been commercially available for just over a decade, so the effect on eyesight after 20 years is impossible to predict. 
 
So if you are prepared to brave the small risk of eye damage, laser eye surgery could free you from those glasses or contact lenses. The choice is yours.About the Author: John McE writes on behalf of <a href="http://www.focusclinics.com/">Focus Clinics</a>, which is a <a href="http://www.focusclinics.com/">London Laser Eye Surgery Clinic</a> consisting of consultant surgeons and optometrists who are the most experienced in the field.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/laser-eye-surgery-what-is-it-553818.html" title="Laser Eye Surgery - What Is It">Laser Eye Surgery - What Is It</a>

LES is a surgical alternative to wearing contact lenses or glasses. It is not for everyone, for some vision problems cannot be corrected, and some eyes are just not suited to it, such as dry eyes or eyes with large pupils. But for everyone else, laser eye surgery is hailed as a miracle in eyesight.

Before the surgery, patients are instructed to stop wearing contact lenses, and the patients cornea is examined to determine its thickness. The doctor then analyses the shape of the cornea to determine the precise shaping requirements needed, the amount of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. Patients are usually given an antibiotic, to minimise the risk of infection after the procedure.

Surgery
In the surgery, the cornea is partially sliced using a very sharp medical knife called a microtome. Part of the cornea is lifted, then the surface underneath that is shaped by a laser. The cornea is then put back together with reduced thickness. This reduced thickness should enable patients to see very well without glasses or contact lenses. They may still need reading glasses for close work but everything else should be corrected by the surgery.

Effects
Patients typically describe seeing some haze around bright lights at night after the surgery, which is due to the cornea still being slightly rough from the laser treatment. If patients injure their eye then there is a possibility that the effected area of the cornea might shift and change, but this is rarely a problem.

Occasionally, surgery can go wrong and vision can be worse than before the operation. More often it is only a problem at night when bright lights become so hazy that night driving becomes an impossibility.
Dry and painful eyes is a common complaint, with some patients having to use artificial tear drops to moisten their eyes.

These complaints are very uncommon, but the success rate of this surgery is inevitably hard to know because clibics have a vested interesting in publishing high success rates and getting more patients. Most laser eye clinics define success as having patients with 20/15 vision afterwards, and do not take into account night vision difficulties or painful dry eyes.

One thing which remains impossible to know is the long term effects of laser eye surgery. It has only been commercially available for just over a decade, so the effect on eyesight after 20 years is impossible to predict.

So if you are prepared to brave the small risk of eye damage, laser eye surgery could free you from those glasses or contact lenses. The choice is yours.

John McE writes on behalf of Focus Clinics, which is a London Laser Eye Surgery Clinic consisting of consultant surgeons and optometrists who are the most experienced in the field.

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/laser-eye-surgery-what-is-it-553818.html

Article Tags: Eye Surgery, Laser Eye Surgery, Laser Eye Treatment, Laser Eye, Laser Eye Operation

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

Corrective Laser Surgery and Cataracts

Play

LASIK Surgery Recovery

Play

Astigmatism and Corrective Eye Surgery

Play

Corrective Eye Surgery Risks

Play

Corrective Eye Surgery - Common Fears

Latest Health Articles
More from John Mce

Acai Berry Detox Products - How Does Acai Detoxify the Body

By: Chandra North | 15/11/2009
Acai Berry detox products are very popular in the market since these products are proven to remove harmful toxins from the body. People who have used Acai Berry detox products recommend them to others since they know the benefits offered by these products are real. If you are considering opting for an Acai Berry Detox product but you are skeptical then continue reading as this article will provide scientific information about the benefits of this fruit.

Boxing Training for MMA

By: Emile A. Jarreau | 15/11/2009
One of the reasons that the mixed martial arts is so popular today is because it utilizes a number of other disciplines, sports, and fighting styles. Fighters in MMA are cross-trained in many of these, often choosing one or two specialties, but adept in a staggering array of skills…

Colon Detox Cleanser - The #1 Best Colon Detox Cleanser!

By: Chandra North | 15/11/2009
A simple colon detox cleanser can prevent you from experiencing problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and constipation. Find out today how the #1 best colon detox cleanser can help you! These bowel related problems occur mainly due to congestion and toxins in the colon that build up over the years. A diet that includes refined sugar, antibiotics, excessive fats and white flour is the main reason for these problems and the solution to these problems lies mainly in changing the diet

Your Sexual Health Today

By: Freddy Roy | 15/11/2009
The realm of sexual health can often be a touchy subject for some people. There are thousands of potential cultural, psychological, religious, and personal factors that come into play when talking about sexual health. However, one thing that most people can agree upon is that there are definitely physiological

Walking Should Be A Part Of Your Normal Health Routine

By: Freddy Roy | 15/11/2009
No one needs to be reminded that the fitness craze has arrived in full bloom and hints to us that it's not going away anytime soon.

Treatment Of Arthritis Pain With Yoga

By: Freddy Roy | 15/11/2009
Living with arthritis pain is not something that anyone would like to happen to them. Many people suffer the aches and pains of damaged or inflamed joints. Some are just uncomfortable, and some become crippled as a result of a disease that has been recognized since prehistoric times but understood only in the

Smoking And Why You Should Stop

By: Freddy Roy | 15/11/2009
Smoking is generally one of the known forms of recreational drug use in today's society. According to statistics, millions of people worldwide are addicted to tobacco smoking. While there are less-used drugs for smoking like opium and cannabis, there are also different types of hard drugs and substances that

Health Benefits of Acai Berry - Acai Berry Health Benefits!

By: Chandra North | 15/11/2009
The Acai Berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a fruit produced by the Acai palm tree. Acai Berries and Acai Berry pulp have been consumed by people in South America for countless generations. In recent years, the North American market has caught to the amazing properties of this miracle berry. You cannot even walk into a health store without seeing Acai Berry cereals, shakes, protein powders and more!

Why Take A Holiday in Cape Town?

By: John Mce | 14/10/2008 | Destinations
Approximately 1.5 million tourists visit Cape Town every year, bringing in billions in revenue. A friendly, bustling, cosmopolitan city with some amazing sights of natural beauty, Cape Town is the perfect location for a holiday.

Ways To Make Your Home A Mobility Haven

By: John Mce | 14/10/2008 | Health
The elderly and disabled have an array of aids to help them both in the home and outside it. As regular home chores become more of a challenge the older you get, it could be worth considering one or more of the options detailed in this article.

A Brief History Of Online Gambling

By: John Mce | 13/10/2008 | Online Gambling
It all began in 1994 on Antigua Barbuda in the West Indies, the home of gambling licences. This is still an online gambling Mecca with most online gambling companies still based in Antiqua in order to take advantage of this licence.

About The Maidenhead Locator System

By: John Mce | 13/10/2008 | Publishing
This is not a special system that helps you locate Maidenhead. It is in fact is a scheme used by amateur radio operators for identifying positions on the earth.

The Publishing Industry and What You Need To Know

By: John Mce | 12/10/2008 | Publishing
Ten years ago the publishing industry was a very different sphere than it is today. Now however the internet has turned the traditional order of doing things on its head. Journalists, editors, photographers and all the other roles involved in the press have to adapt quickly if they want to keep their jobs.

Alternative Holiday Ideas In Africa

By: John Mce | 10/10/2008 | Travel
As well as the typical beach holidays and romantic getaways Africa and many other destinations have to offer, there are also several truly unique holiday experiences that Africa has to offer, find out more.

Environmental and Waste Audits Are a Good Start to CSR

By: John Mce | 10/10/2008 | Environment
Corporate social responsibility is an important issue in these times of fear and hysteria surrounding global warming. In the past and still presently, multinationals are particularly to blame for careless acts of waste often on a global scale.

Bright White Smile and 5 Top Tips Towards It!

By: John Mce | 09/10/2008 | Health
Cosmetic dentistry has taken off in a big way in the last half decade as celebrity magazines proliferate and appearance is kept in the forefront of our minds. However if you are not lucky enough to be born with an ideal set of dentures and do not have the money required to pay a dentist to create one for you then take heed of the tips below.