Dr Natasha Lim: Everything About Lasik Surgery

Everything About Lasik Surgery It's natural that glasses or contacts aren't everyone's first option. Your lasik surgeon may recommend lasik surgery if you want sharper eyesight without the need for corrective lenses.

Not everyone is suitable for Lasik (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) surgery.

While surgically reshaping your cornea can help you get rid of your glasses or contacts, it won't address all of your eye problems. If you're considering LASIK, think about the points mentioned below.

Which Refractive Errors Can be Helped by Lasik?

Lasik surgery in Singapore generally removes the need for contact lenses or spectacles. Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism with moderate degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are common candidates for this surgery. Patients with presbyopia may also benefit from this surgery.

How Lasik Works Since 1987, laser eye surgery has been available, and Lasik has essentially replaced older procedures. The energy created is the major innovation that has made lasik the favoured technique. The laser uses hyper-focused ultraviolet light to vapourise specific cells while causing minimal damage to the surrounding surroundings. As a result, it's known as a "cool laser."

Surgical incisions allow an eye surgeon to fold back the top of the cornea, allowing precise targeting of corneal tissue behind the outer flap. Then they vaporise any excess tissue so that when the corneal flap is folded back down, it conforms to a shape that allows for improved focus.

What to Expect from Lasik services in Singapore However, better focus through a lasik surgery is only effective on a case-by-case basis. Reshaping the cornea, for example, will not assist if your myopia is caused by

an enlarged eyeball caused by glaucoma-related pressure. To proceed with lasik, you'll need your eye doctor's approval.

Who Can’t Benefit from Lasik?

While your eye doctor is the best person to make the decision, there are specific reasons why lasik surgery is not recommended. You may not be a candidate for lasik if you fall into one of the following categories: ● Under the age of eighteen ● Several prescription revisions in a single year ● Having extreme myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. ● Dryness in the eyes that is severe ● Cornea that isn't thick enough ● Abrasions on the cornea or a disease ● Have keratoconus (cone-shaped cornea) ● Glaucoma that has progressed ● A cataract that impairs eyesight ● A history of some types of eye infections ● Diabetes that isn't effectively managed ● Women who are pregnant or nursing Before Surgery A full eye exam will be performed by your eye doctor before the lasik. Checking vision, symptoms of infection, dry eyes, inflammation, high eye pressure, and wide eye pupils are all part of the consultation. Because pre-existing issues like dry eye can occasionally worsen as a result of lasik, your eye doctor pays close attention to how lasik might influence your eye health.

Each cornea will be measured by the doctors, who will record its contour, shape, irregularities, and thickness. The extent of your refractive defect and if lasik can fix your vision are also determined during this session.

During Surgery After consultation, they can refer you to lasik services in Singapore. Your cornea is reshaped using a laser by your eye surgeon. The lasik procedure is as follows:

Procedure #

Description

1

You'll be given some eye drops with a local anaesthetic.

2

Your eyelids will be fixed in place to prevent you from blinking.

3

They'll put a suction ring over your eye to prevent it from turning away. The ring will exert a light pressure.

4

Your vision will begin to fade at this moment.

5

Your surgeon creates a very thin flap in the cornea tissue with either a microkeratome or a laser. Returning the flap-formed layer to its original position.

6

You must keep your eyes fixed on a target light while a surgical laser performs its operation.

7

The laser is a specialised device that has been programmed with your eye's measurements.

8

The eye surgeon then uses a laser to reshape your cornea.

9

You will hear a clicking sound when your eye surgeon is utilising the laser.

10

After reshaping the cornea, your eye surgeon smooths the edges and folds the flap back into place.

11

After Surgery

The flap adheres on its own in 2–3 minutes and heals in place.

To protect your eyes while they heal, you may be asked to wear a see-through shield over them. On the day of the procedure, we don't recommend doing anything but relaxing and sleeping. It's possible that you'll have itching or burning in your eyes for a few hours following the procedure. Many patients, however, are given specific eye drops to help with dryness and healing. To get the best effects, make sure you use eye drops properly. Your eyes should feel healthy after a few days, and your eyesight should have improved.

What Complications Can Arise from Lasik?

While full recovery is likely (95 percent of patients in 300 peer-reviewed studies), lasik surgery might cause unpleasant side effects in a small number of individuals.

The majority of these symptoms are transient, but they can be concerning if you haven't previously had them as a result of this type of operation.

Temporary side-effects can include: ● Vision that is hazy or fuzzy ● Having trouble seeing in the dark or driving at night ● Scratchiness, dryness, and other dry eye symptoms ● Around lights, there may be glare, halos, or starbursts. ● Sensitivity to light ● Pain or discomfort ● On the white of the eye, there are little pink or red patches.

While these side effects may appear to be severe, the surgery has become more refined over time. Newer laser technology has considerably enhanced patient recuperation. Prepare for the surgery as much as possible to increase your chances of a successful recovery.

How to Prepare for Lasik Surgery ● Make arrangements for transportation to and from the clinic. The medicine you were given during the surgery may still be having an effect on you.

Because it may cause temporary clouded vision, have someone drive you home.

● Leave the eye makeup. Wearing eye makeup, lotions, or cream fragrances the day before and on the day of operation is not recommended. To reduce the risk of infection, we recommend cleaning your eyelashes daily (or more frequently) in the days leading up to the treatment. ● Avoid wearing your contact lenses. Before lasik surgery, get rid of your contact lenses and convert to glasses for at least a few weeks. Contact lenses can sometimes change the curvature of your cornea, causing measurements and surgical outcomes to be affected.

When in doubt, before, during or after your lasik surgery, always consult your lasik surgeon for advice. They are professionals that know what’s best for your eyes.