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Laser vision correction, or laser
eye surgery as it is also commonly called, is a procedure which uses a
cool beam of light from an excimer laser to gently reshape your cornea.
Delicate reshaping of the cornea, which acts as the front 'window' to the eye,
will correct the eye's focal point, allowing for clearer vision.
Over 22 million patients around the world have already benefited from the
corrective effects of laser vision surgery. Capable of treating vision problems such as short sightedness (myopia), far sightedness
(hypermetropia or hyperopia) and astigmatism (uneven focusing ability),
laser vision correction has become the most common elective surgical
procedure in the world. Patients who are suitable candidates for laser
vision correction can enjoy lasting clear vision after undergoing a 10
minute outpatient procedure. After this you can be free to enjoy
the active, vibrant lifestyle you have always wanted, without concerning
yourself with glasses and contact lenses.
If you would like to undertake testing for eligibility, or have any
questions about the procedure, please contact Linda Briggs in Hungary....
Wavefront
optimised PRK
The
procedure involves removing the surface layer of the cornea (the
epithelium) with a blunt scalpel, then sculpting the surface of the cornea
with the laser.
The procedure is painless with anaesthetic eye drops used to numb the eye
and is over in a matter of minutes. Pain and discomfort for 24-72 h
ours following the treatment is not uncommon. To alleviate t
his, painkillers and eye-drops are used. A contact lens bandage is
also put on the eye for three days. The epithelium typically heals within
a few days and the eye is then comfortable, although it may be a little
sensitive for a week or so.
The vision is normally blurred for 7-10 days and then recovers. Initially the eye may be slightly overcorrected but this lessens during the
first weeks after surgery. Vision is typically clear by 2 to 4 weeks.
Refractive stability can take up to three months. Long term results
indicate that eyes after PRK are stable after 12 months with no late
detrimental effects.
With modern advanced Excimer lasers over 98% of eyes with corrections
between +4.5 and -8 will be within +/-1 diopter of zero, allowing patients
to see clearly in the distance without the use of spectacles or contact
lenses. Occasionally eyes can remain slightly over or under-corrected, which is more common with corrections greater than -7 and +3
diopters, and patients may still require use of contact lenses/spectacles.
These eyes can be retreated to remove any slight residual error after 6 to
12 months.
Complications include significant corneal haze (1%), which is usually
transient and resolves after 12 months and is more common in corrections
greater than -7 and +3 diopters, night halos (<0.5%), which are very rare with modern lasers with large diameter and aspheric/wave-front
optimized treatments and infection (very rare, less than 0.1%).
Other complications include ocular irritation and pain on opening eyes on
waking in the morning. These represent minor symptoms of recurrent corneal
erosion syndrome and usually settle within 3 months.
Treatment Process
Before
surgery
-
Contact
lenses should not be worn prior to surgery for 1 week for soft lenses or 4
weeks for gas permeable/hard contact lenses
-
All
traces of make-up should be removed, and none worn on the day of surgery
-
No
perfume, after-shave or hair lacquer should be used on the day of surgery.
-
It
will be necessary to be accompanied by a Linda Briggs in Hungary representative on the day of surgery and for the return journey back
to your hotel or apartment.
-
A
consent form will be given to the patient at least 24 hours prior to
surgery.
On
arrival at the clinic -Prior
to the refractive surgery treatment, the refractive measurements will be
rechecked and detailed scans of the eye performed. These are painless.
There will be an opportunity for any last-minute questions to be answered.
Preparation for your
treatment - During
the 15 minutes before your surgery the operated eye will be prepared and
eye drops administered, which include anaesthetic. Also a very
mild sedative will be given to you so you stay calm and relaxed during the
procedure.
After surgery - Soreness
of the treated eye is to be expected after PRK. This usually lasts fo
r 24 - 48 hours. Painkillers will be prescribed and anaesthetic drops will be given to you. Antibiotic and mild steroid eye-drops will be
prescribed, which must be administered following surgery and continued for
the first week, after which the frequency of the drops is tapered.
-
Care
must be taken to avoid touching or rubbing the treated eye.
-
It
is recommended that patients rest for 4-5 days after PRK.
-
Swimming
should be avoided for 2 weeks after surgery.
-
Driving
should be avoided for at least 1 week or until vision has settled after
PRK.
-
Expect
vision to be blurred for at least 1-2 weeks following short-sighted
treatments and 1- 4 weeks following long-sighted corrections after PRK.
-
Stabilization
of refraction will take up to 3 months following surgery and in rare cases
(mainly long-sighted treatment) may take longer.
-
If one eye is treated at a time, following treatment of the first eye, the
use of a contact lens in the untreated eye provides the best balance of
vision between the two eyes.
-
Patients
may shower, bathe and wash their hair whenever they wish, but avoid
getting dirty or soapy water in the eyes for the first two weeks;
-
If
the eye becomes sticky, the eye-lids may be gently bathed with cotton wool
balls and cooled boiled water.
-
Keep
follow up appointments and take the medication as directed.
Free
Consultation in Budapest for laser eye surgery for Linda Briggs in Hungary
patients
-
An
intense pre-laser evaluation is carried out before any treatment can take
place.
If you are a contact lens wearer, please refrain from wearing soft contact
lenses for 14 days and hard lenses for 1 month prior this test, for best
optimal results. During this test various readings of your vision
are taken to make sure the best visual corrected acuity is reached.
-
Other
tests include: topography
(a scan to check the shape and thickness of the cornea), pupillometry (to
check the diameter of the pupil in darkness), fundoscopy (to check the
back of the eye for any retinal abnormalities), and Intra Ocular Pressure
(to check for raised pressure in the eye which might indicate glaucoma).
Dilating eye drops are applied, so your vision might seem a little blurred for
about 8 hours. You are advised not to drive immediately after t
hese tests.
Am
I a candidate for laser eye surgery - Is it or me?
If
you feel as though your lifestyle is being hampered by your reliance on
glasses and contact lenses, laser vision correction may be the solution
for you. Many patients find their glasses and contacts uncomforta
ble, impractical and inconvenient. With clear vision, you will no longer need to worry about losing a contact lens, or breaking an expensive
pair of glasses. Whilst many people can benefit from laser vision correction, it is also important to remember that every individual is
different. Success rates for patients have been exceptionally high around the globe, however there are several factors which may make a person
ineligible for treatment. For the procedure to be safe, it is recommended that you should have a prescription of between -1.00 to -10.00 for
short sighted persons, or +1.00 to +4.00 for far sighted persons. However,
whilst it may be difficult to eliminate errors in vision outside of these
ranges, the Eye Clinic staff will also be able to provide information about alternative treatment options which may suit your individual
needs. |
