Laser surgery
Laser Refractive Surgery is becoming a popular means correcting vision. It is now a well established procedure, and while the very long term effects are obviously unknown, several years experience has shown more successful cases than otherwise. At SPEX we can advise patients on their suitability for treatment, and also on the various types of refractive surgery available. We believe it is essential that patients are referred to clinics using state of the art lasers, operated by surgeons with plenty of experience. If you are considering refractive surgery, we will be pleased to examine your eyes, give you more information, and put you in touch with a suitable clinic.
Short sighted to a maximum of –11.00 dioptres (best practice probably –8.00D)
Long sighted to a maximum of +5.00 dioptres (best practice probably +3.00D)
Astigmatism to maximum 5.00 dioptres included in the above prescription.
It is important that you realise surgery is not a guaranteed to completely correct your vision – you will almost certainly see much better after the procedure, but may still need to wear spectacles for certain tasks like driving.
- You have a lazy eye, or are monocular
- Have a squint (previous squint surgery may well make you unsuitable)
- Have distorted corneas or corneal scarring
- Have dry eye conditions
- Have large pupils, particularly in low light conditions
- Are diabetic
- Use anti depressants
- Have Rheumatoid conditions
- Are under 18 years of age (best practice over 21)
- Have vision which changes each time you have a test
- You work in dusty, dirty or very hot/dry conditions.
- Are presbyopic ( need a different prescription for distance and reading.
PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) was the original form of laser surgery, it tends to be less predictable, sometimes regresses, and is very painful for 24 to 48 hours post procedure. With PRK, the corneal epithelium (or outer layer of the Cornea) is removed and discarded, allowing the cells to regenerate after the surgery. It is however the least expensive, but some laser clinics will no longer perform the procedure.
Lasik (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis) has become the procedure of choice in most clinics. It is far more predictable in outcome, leaving the patient in little or no pain. A laser is used to reshape the eye's cornea. There are currently six types of laser in use, with yet another being developed. Independent reviews in the United States indicate that the Technolas laser gives overall best results as things stand at present. Here at SPEX we refer to clinics which use the Technolas. It seems likely that before too long there may be even better equipment available.
Lasek (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy or Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) is a procedure more prone to complications than Lasik, is no cheaper, and therefore not performed so frequently. In some cases there are indications for the procedure. Lasek and PRK are very similar.
There are alternatives. For some patients who cannot tolerate contact lenses, and whose spectacles really hinder their lifestyle, there are other surgical procedures available. These mainly involve an operation which is more or less the same as having a cataract removed.