SNC 2D

Introduction

Laser eye surgery is used on patients who have a hard time seeing and do not like having glasses or contacts. There are 3 main types of refractive errors due to vision problems astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia.

also known as astigmatism (weird vision when looking at an object from any distance), hyperopia (being far-sighted) and myopia (being near-sighted),

When the length of the eye is not the same as the strength of the cornea and its lens it will cause a mismatch and a refractive error. The part of the eye, which is most sensitive to light and is located at the back of the eye is called the retina.

Laser eye surgery changes the shape of the cornea permanently and fixes all refractive errors. The most common type of laser used in laser eye surgery is the Excimer laser, which uses a type of ultra violet light.

How does it work?

there are 2 main kinds of laser eye surgery.

LASIK

laser in situ keratomileusis

A surgeon performs LASIK with a blade or laser. The surgeon cuts a flap in the cornea and with the assistance of a computer laser; it removes a specific amount of tissue from the eye. After this procedure the flap is placed back and heals in less than a week

PRK

Photo-Refractive Keractectomy

The PRK procedure uses a type of blade to remove the outer layer of the cornea. Then a laser beam is used to shape the cornea and removes small amounts of tissue in the eye. After this is complete it takes approximately a week to for your eye to fully heal.

There have also been 2 new ways introduced in the past few years which include: LASEK and Epi-LASIK

The Laser

• An intralase FS laser (femtosecond laser) is used to horizontally cut 90% of the cornea.

• An excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea in order to allow it to focus directly on the retina.

• Excimer lasers are very precise, generate no heat, have wavelengths of 193nm, and contains a mixture of gases that produce and dimer when “excited” with electricity.

• Intralase FS lasers uses more rapid-fire laser, less energy on the corneal tissues, and has a longer wavelength.

• Travels in a straight line.

• Based on radiation (does not require a medium to move) and electromagnetic waves (travels at the speed of light).

Benefits

• No longer need to use glasses or contact lenses.
• Immediate vision improvement.
• Save money on solutions, lenses, frames, contacts, etc.
• Save time.
• Procedure is quick and almost painless
• Recovery time is short
• Less expensive in the long run.
• More job opportunities.
• Increased confidence.

and Disadvantages

• Dry eyes.
• A little sting directly after surgery.
• Possible infection.
• Chance of imperfect correction, distorted vision, impaired night vision, and loss of vision.

Is it useful?

The usefulness of laser eye surgery depends on the person. Most find it to be very beneficial because it makes the daily life easier.

Conclusion

In conclusion, laser eye surgery is uses ultraviolet (laser) light to improve people's vision.

By: Paulina Magno & Leanne Caragay

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Laser Eye Surgery

Lasik Procedure