Treatment to improve your vision is called refractive surgery or correction of vision. There are two types of refractive surgery: laser eye surgery and lens surgery.

Both kinds of surgeries will help you to be less dependent on contact lenses or glasses. The research has proven that both are safe and effective. Which type of refractive surgery will be best for you based on many factors such as your eyesight as well as your eye health as well as your age, financial situation, and your lifestyle.

The surgeon will inspect your eyes, evaluate your requirements and assist you to determine the best solution for you. When you weigh the benefits and risks of refractive surgery, bear in your mind the fact that using contact lenses can pose some risks to the health of your eyes.

1. Laser eye surgery:

What exactly is it?

The procedure, also known as laser eye surgery also known as correcting vision with lasers, is using lasers to shape the area (cornea) of the eyes so that they can focus more effectively. It can correct long-sightedness, short-sightedness, and astigmatism.

Who would it be suitable for?

The laser eye procedure is recommended for all people over the age of 18. The ideal eye prescription should remain roughly the same for approximately two years. Lens surgery could be beneficial if have a prescription for high spectacles or later in your life.

What is it that they are looking for?

Three main kinds can be performed with lasers: LASIK, SMILE, and surface laser treatments.

• LASIK This procedure is performed using two lasers: one for opening an elongated flap on the cornea’s surface as well as another laser to alter the shape of the cornea beneath. The protective flap is removed and reshapes back in place, without stitches.
• Smile The surgeon alters the shape of the cornea by creating a tiny self-sealing and self-sealing hole.
• Treatments using surface lasers (PRK LASEK, TransPRK) – the clear cornea’s surface is removed to allow the surgeon can alter the shape of the cornea using a laser. The skin grows back in a natural way.

The three types are laser-based eye surgeries offer similar outcomes. Your surgeon will go over the options available to you and will help you decide on the one that is most beneficial for you.

Are there any risky situations?

Around 1 out of 10 people who undergo laser surgery will require a further procedure to obtain the most effective possible outcomes. There’s typically no expense for this procedure.

Common side effects are:

• A mild, gritty irritation Artificial tears may assist with this. Your eyes will typically feel relaxed within three to six months
• Visual disturbances (such as glare caused by the headlights of vehicles coming towards you at night) This usually disappears or is treated with success
• Red marks appear on the surface of your eyes These always disappear in the course of one month

The loss of vision in severe cases is extremely uncommon. The procedure, also known as laser eye surgery also known as correcting vision with lasers, is using lasers to shape the area (cornea) of the eyes so that they can focus more effectively. It can correct long-sightedness, short-sightedness, and astigmatism.

2. Lens surgery:

There are two main types of surgery for the eye The first is phakic intraocular lenses (PIOL) surgical procedure as well refractive lens exchange (RLE).

Phakic intraocular lens implantation (PIOL)

The PIOL artificial lenses are put inside your eyes, without taking out the natural lenses that you have. It’s similar to putting contacts into your eyes.

Since the lens is within the eye, you can accomplish things that you wouldn’t normally do with contact lenses, like swimming or participating in water sports.

Who are the people it is suitable for?

PIOL could be a suitable alternative for people younger than do not have the option of eye laser surgery, possibly due to their high prescription for their eyes or a high amount of astigmatism. At a later time, RLE could be an alternative.

What exactly is PIOL include?

The surgeon creates a tiny cut on the eye’s surface and then inserts the lens through this. No stitches are required.

Are there any dangers?

Your surgeon will go over any potential risks or side effects with you before going for surgery.

It’s normal for you to experience blurring of your vision following PIOL however this will gradually be able to settle. Headlights that are coming in front of you while traveling at night can be commonplace initially.

The cornea might appear uncomfortable for a short time. There may be red spots across the surface of your eyes for a couple of weeks.

The risk of serious complications is very low and If you do experience problems following surgery, they are usually able be rectified. Cataracts (when lenses inside the eyes cloud up) could occur earlier in life following surgery to remove the PIOL.

Refractive lens exchange (RLE)

RLE is in essence identical to cataract surgery. The lens that is natural to the eye is removed and replaced by a brand new, artificial lens. The procedure, also known as laser eye surgery also known as correcting vision with lasers, is using lasers to shape the area (cornea) of the eyes so that they can focus more effectively. It can correct long-sightedness, short-sightedness, and astigmatism.

Who are the people it is suitable for?

RLE is an excellent alternative if you’re over the age of 50 and not fit for laser eye surgery, for instance, due to your excessive eye prescription or the first signs of cataracts.

What exactly is RLE include?

There are two kinds of artificial lenses used in RLE such as monofocal or multifocal.

• Monofocal These increase your distance vision however you’ll require glasses close work.
• Multifocal They provide clear distant, mid and close vision, however around one percent of people say they can’t be used to them and choose an alternative lens exchange procedure.

Are there any dangers?

The majority of patients experience symptoms of visual discomfort and side effects for a few weeks or months following surgery, but these will slowly diminish.

More serious complications are more frequent in the aftermath of RLE than following surgical lasers or surgery for PIOL. Around 1 out of 500 suffer from significant vision loss following RLE.

Your surgeon will be able to tell you more about the risk before you decide to proceed with surgery.

Find out more at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists about laser eye surgery.