Everything you Need to Know About Bladeless LASIK
Are you tired of carrying your spectacles everywhere? Do you hate wearing lenses? Are you contemplating LASIK? Bladeless LASIK is an accurate, practical, and super safe procedure that can provide you with 20/20 vision with little to no downtime at all. Here we discuss everything to need to know when considering this type of vision correction surgery and how it is different from the traditional LASIK surgery.
What is LASIK?
LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. This common operation involves creating a flap in the outermost layer of the cornea and lifting the flap to reveal the underlying cornea called the stroma. The stroma is reshaped by removing microscopic amounts of corneal tissue so that the cornea can accurately focus the light precisely on the retina. To cure nearsightedness, the cornea is slightly flattened to improve vision; and for farsightedness, the curvature of the cornea is increased. Astigmatism – a condition where the shape of the cornea is irregular can also be corrected by smoothening the cornea back into an ideal way. The flap of the cornea is then placed back in its position over the corneal tissue, and the eye is allowed to heal.
What is Bladeless LASIK?
Bladeless LASIK, also known as an all-laser LASIK, is an advanced version of the traditional LASIK operation in which an individual laser called a femtosecond laser is used to create the flap of the cornea instead of a blade. Since the flap is formed with a laser instead of a knife, the resulting flap is of equal thickness all around. It has cleaner edges and heals faster. Topical anesthetic drops are prescribed after the operation to promote healing and prevent infections. Bandages or stitches are typically not required in this case.
After the surgery, your vision is more precise and the chances of experiencing halos or glare at night time are significantly reduced.
The Bladeless Experience
At the onset, eye-numbing drops are instilled into your eyes to prevent discomfort or pain during the procedure. A device called lid speculum will be used to prevent your eyelids from closing, and a suction ring will be applied to your eyes to keep them from moving around in the eyeball. The femtosecond laser will create a flap on the cornea which will be folded away. The surgeon will reshape your cornea with a laser adjusted for your prescription, and the flap will be replaced.
After the operation, you will find your vision unclear and hazy for a few hours. The haziness will disappear by the next morning, and your vision will continue to improve for the next few weeks.
Are you Eligible?
You must be minimum 21 years of age to be eligible for a LASIK procedure. Apart from this, you should have a stable vision that does not continuously change for a 2 year period. The efficacy of the process for you will depend upon the specific conditions of your eye.
Outcome
Most people achieve a 20/20 vision or better, though many will only accomplish a 20/40 vision or less. Having realistic expectations about the results of the operation is essential. Even though the requirement to wear prescription glasses may not entirely go away in certain extreme cases, the power will be much lower than earlier.
Advantages of Bladeless LASIK
- Sharper vision – Recent advances in technology have made it possible to give you sharper and clearer vision than ever before.
- Time – The entire procedure is concise and takes only around 15 to 20 minutes.
- Increased comfort – Patient discomfort and pain is absent or is minimal.
- Faster recovery – Recovery is much quicker and most people can get back to work in as little as 24 hours.
- Increased safety – The thickness of the corneal flap created by a bladeless LASIK is the same in every part irrespective of the natural curve of the cornea. This dramatically reduces the chances of any mishaps with the corneal flap and increases the safety of the operations significantly. With a blade, the more curved the cornea, the higher the chances that a flap may be thinner in the center.
However, it is important to note that the experience and expertise of the surgeon in a bladeless LASIK procedure plays a vital role in the success of any surgery. Also remember that advanced technology in the hands of a novice can be ineffective, if not downright dangerous. Select a reputed and trustworthy eye care provider to take care of your precious eyes. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and to talk to our team of specialist eye doctors today.
