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Modern Çok Katlı Binalar

LASER EYE SURGERY IN HEALTIFY TURKEY

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LASER EYE SURGERY

Laser eye surgery is a broad term used to describe a variety of eye procedures that use laser technology to treat refractive vision problems, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. The goal of laser eye surgery is to reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) by reshaping the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to improve how light is focused on the retina.

The two most common types of laser eye surgery are LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), but there are other procedures as well, such as SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) and LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy).

Laser eye surgery is a popular choice for people seeking a long-term solution to vision correction, offering a fast, effective way to improve vision with minimal recovery time.

How Laser Eye Surgery Works:

Laser eye surgery typically involves reshaping the cornea with the help of an excimer laser. This is done to correct refractive errors by focusing light more accurately onto the retina. The general steps of laser eye surgery are as follows:

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  1. Preparation: The patient’s eyes are numbed using local anesthetic eye drops. A small device is used to keep the eyelids open, ensuring the patient remains still during the procedure.

  2. Reshaping the Cornea: Depending on the type of laser surgery, a laser is used to remove precise amounts of tissue from the cornea. This reshaping changes the curvature of the cornea to allow light to be properly focused onto the retina.

  3. Recovery: After the procedure, patients are monitored briefly, and depending on the type of surgery, they may receive bandage contact lenses, antibiotic eye drops, and anti-inflammatory medications to ensure proper healing.

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Each type of laser eye surgery has its own specific method for reshaping the cornea, but they all aim to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Types of Laser Eye Surgery:

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis):

  • Procedure: In LASIK, a thin flap of corneal tissue is created using a microkeratome (blade) or a femtosecond laser. The flap is lifted, and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped with an excimer laser. The flap is then replaced, adhering naturally without the need for stitches.

  • Ideal Candidates: LASIK is often preferred by people with moderate refractive errors and a stable prescription. It offers quick recovery and minimal discomfort.

  • Benefits: Fast recovery time (usually 24-48 hours), minimal pain, and most patients achieve 20/25 vision or better.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy):

  • Procedure: Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve creating a corneal flap. Instead, the top layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed, and an excimer laser is used to reshape the corneal tissue underneath. The epithelium naturally regenerates over time.

  • Ideal Candidates: PRK is a good option for people with thinner corneas or those who engage in contact sports (since there is no flap to be displaced).

  • Benefits: It’s suitable for people with thin corneas and is often a better option for those with dry eyes. The procedure is simple and effective in treating refractive errors.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction):

  • Procedure: SMILE is a newer, minimally invasive procedure that uses a femtosecond laser to remove a small lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue. This technique requires only a small incision, as opposed to the flap created in LASIK or the removal of epithelium in PRK.

  • Ideal Candidates: SMILE is suitable for patients with myopia or mild astigmatism. It is often considered for those who have active lifestyles or work in professions where a flap could be at risk of displacement.

  • Benefits: SMILE offers a more minimally invasive approach and preserves more of the cornea’s structural integrity. There’s less dry eye risk compared to LASIK, and recovery time tends to be quicker than PRK.

LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy):

  • Procedure: LASEK is similar to PRK but involves preserving the epithelium by loosening it with alcohol and then repositioning it after laser reshaping of the cornea. This method allows for faster recovery than PRK, but it does not involve the creation of a corneal flap like LASIK.

  • Ideal Candidates: LASEK is typically used for people with thin corneas or those who are not suitable candidates for LASIK.

  • Benefits: A good option for those with thin corneas, minimal risk of corneal flap complications, and better healing than PRK.

Eligibility for Laser Eye Surgery:

Laser eye surgery is not suitable for everyone. Ideal candidates for laser eye surgery generally meet the following criteria:

  • Age: Patients should be over 18 years old, and their vision should be stable for at least one year. Most surgeons prefer patients in their 20s or 30s, as vision tends to stabilize by this time.

  • Refractive Error: Candidates should have a refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) within certain limits. Severe refractive errors may require other treatments.

  • Eye Health: Candidates should have healthy eyes, with no underlying conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or severe dry eyes. An eye exam will be conducted to determine the overall health of the eyes.

  • Stable Prescription: A stable prescription for at least one year is important, as large changes in vision could indicate a condition that would require alternative treatments.

  • General Health: Certain medical conditions like autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and others may affect eligibility. Your surgeon will perform a thorough assessment to determine if laser eye surgery is appropriate.

Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery:

  • Quick and Effective: Laser eye surgeries such as LASIK and PRK typically take only 10-15 minutes per eye and require minimal downtime. Most patients experience improved vision immediately or within 24 to 48 hours.

  • Minimal Discomfort: The procedures are generally painless, with any discomfort lasting only a short time after surgery.

  • Long-Term Vision Correction: For most patients, laser eye surgery provides permanent or long-lasting vision correction, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

  • High Success Rate: The vast majority of patients (up to 96%) experience significant improvement in vision, achieving 20/25 vision or better.

Recovery and Aftercare:

Post-Surgery Care:

  • After laser eye surgery, patients will need to follow their surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully. This includes using prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.

Rest and Healing:

  • Patients are advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a few days to allow the eyes to heal.

Follow-Up Visits:

  • Regular follow-up visits are important to monitor healing and ensure there are no complications. The first check-up is typically scheduled the day after surgery, with additional visits over the following weeks and months.

Activity Restrictions:

  • Patients should avoid rubbing their eyes, swimming, and exposing the eyes to dust, smoke, or irritants during the healing process. It’s also important to avoid makeup around the eyes until fully healed.

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