Who is a Good Candidate for Laser Eye Treatment?

laser eye treatment

The eye is a complex biological structure that lets us see the world around us. Cornea is an important part of the eye – the cornea along with the lens help to focus incoming light onto the retina. However, due to various factors there can be changes in the cornea’s shape which can impact vision negatively. A number of serious vision issues, such as astigmatism and nearsightedness, can arise from these corneal changes. 

Laser eye treatment is an effective procedure that reshapes the cornea and rectifies these issues. Different approaches may be used depending on which vision condition requires correcting. If you are planning for laser eye treatment, here is a good read. We discuss some  useful insights on who is a good candidate for laser eye treatment:

1. Must be 18+ years of age:

Before LASIK surgery, eye surgeons will ensure that your eyes are stable and not changing rapidly. Before the age of 18, the eyes undergo various changes, which can impact the outcome of LASIK surgery. When you are aged 18+ years, the chances of a successful outcome with laser treatment are much higher.

2. Have a stable vision prescription:

Even if you are aged more than 18 years, your prescriptions could still change. If you want to have an effective laser eye treatment, you should have a stable prescription. Most eye surgeons recommend that you have a good prescription for one or two years before you get the laser eye treatment.

3. Overall health is good:

Your overall health could impact your candidacy for laser eye treatment. If you are suffering from diabetes or certain autoimmune diseases, you may not be the right candidate for laser eye treatment. Some eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, may even be dangerous for laser eye treatment. Your eye surgeon will check whether you have any pre-existing health conditions impacting your ability to have laser eye treatment.

4. Should not have dry eyes:

If you have a history of dry eye or have dry eye syndrome, recovering from laser eye treatment is quite difficult. Screening for dry eye is a part of pre-laser eye treatment. If you are prone to dry eyes, your eye doctor will first recommend ways to treat them.

5. If you are suffering from farsightedness:

Hyperopia is the clinical name for farsightedness. If you have farsightedness, you can see distant objects very clearly, but things can appear blurry at a close distance. Farsightedness is mainly caused by the cornea’s curvature becoming too flat. Laser eye treatment can correct this condition by reshaping the cornea.

6. If you are suffering from nearsightedness:

Myopia is the other name for nearsightedness. It is where you can see the objects that are close, but the objects at a distance appear blurred. This is due to the steepness of cornea curvature. Eye surgeons can correct this condition through laser eye treatment by reshaping the cornea.

7. If you are suffering from astigmatism:

If you have astigmatism, the cornea or lens of your eye is irregularly shaped – instead of being round, they are shaped like a football or an egg. Laser eye treatment can fix the uneven curvature of the cornea.

Who is unsuitable for laser eye treatment? 

Laser eye treatment is not suitable for people who:

  • Take medications that can cause vision changes
  • Have had changes in the eye prescriptions in the last 6 to 12 months
  • Are younger than 18
  • Are nursing or pregnant
  • Have thin corneas

Are you looking for the best eye hospital for laser eye treatment?

Disha Eye Hospitals is one of the reputed eye hospitals for laser eye treatment. We offer both contoura LASIK and normal LASIK. Our LASIK eye surgeons have performed more than 10,00,000 successful surgeries. Furthermore, our eye surgeons are well-versed in advanced medical techniques. To know the eye laser treatment cost, feel free to contact us.

FAQs on Laser photocoagulation

laser eye treatment
If you have been recommended to undergo laser photocoagulation, you are bound to have questions. Here we have curated a list of frequently asked questions and their answers on laser photocoagulation and the
eye laser treatment cost that you will find useful: 

Question 1: What is laser photocoagulation used for?

Laser photocoagulation is laser eye treatment that is used to treat retinal conditions. The laser eye treatment is done to prevent the worsening of retinal disorders and reduce the risk of potential vision loss. 

Question 2: What does laser photocoagulation do?

This laser eye treatment  is used to seal off a tear or leaking blood vessels. It can also slow the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The procedure cannot restore vision that is already lost, but it can reduce your risk of experiencing future vision loss.

Question 3: For what eye conditions is laser photocoagulation used? 

This laser eye treatment  is used to treat retinal conditions such as 

  • Retinal tears
  • Retinal detachment
  • Diabetic retinopathy 
  • Macular edema 
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

Question 4: Who performs laser photocoagulation? 

Retina specialists perform laser photocoagulation. They are ophthalmologists who specialise in diseases of the retina. This gives them special training to safely perform laser photocoagulation.

Question 5: Is retinal laser photocoagulation painful?

The laser eye treatment is performed under topical anaesthesia. This is done to reduce the pain. The procedure is relatively painless and you may just feel a mild pricking sensation during the surgery. The entire procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the retinal disease being treated. 

Question 6: How long does laser photocoagulation take to heal?

Well, the recovery time varies from two to three weeks. The exact recovery time will vary from one person to another, depending on the age, type of retinal disorder and general health. 

Question 7: Is laser photocoagulation safe?

Yes, this laser eye treatment is both safe and effective in the treatment of retina disorders. However, just like any surgery, there are some associated risks involved. Talk to your retinal specialist about these before proceeding with surgery.

Question 8: Will I have pain?

You may have some discomfort around your treated eye. Your ophthalmologist is likely to prescribe your pain-relievers. However, you must contact your eye doctor in case of severe pain and discomfort.

Question 9: When can I wear contact lenses after laser photocoagulation?

Generally, you can wear your contact lenses once the redness has gone. This is usually within two to three days after the laser eye treatment.

Question 10: Can I drive home after laser photocoagulation? 

No, you cannot drive home the same after having the laser treatment done. You can drive the next day or when your ophthalmologist gives a go-ahead. However, if you are having vision problems, you should wait until you feel comfortable driving and your ophthalmologist says that it is safe for you to drive.

Question 11: When can I resume work after photocoagulation? 

You should take off work the day of your procedure. You will probably be able to return to work the following day. If your work is physical, you must ask your doctor when you can return to work.

Question 12: What can you not do after photocoagulation laser?

Here are some precautions you should take after laser eye treatment :

  • Don’t take a shower or wash your hair until the day after.
  • Don’t rub your eyes.
  • Use all eye drops, including artificial tears, that are prescribed by your doctor.
  • Wear the eye shield the doctor gave you while you sleep for the first week.
  • Keep tap water out of your eyes for at least a week.
  • Avoid swimming pools for at least 3 to 4 weeks.
  • No eye makeup for at least a week. 
  • No exercise for two days.
  • Avoid dusty environments. 
  • Avoid bright sunshine. Wear sunglasses on bright days.  
     
    Looking for laser eye treatment in Kolkata? 

We, at Disha Eye Hospitals, have YAG laser for laser eye treatment. It is used in retinal, cataract and glaucoma therapy. It is optimal for photocoagulation, post-cataract treatments, laser trabeculoplasty and combined iridotomy. To know the eye laser treatment cost, book an appointment at your nearest branch

List of precautions to take after LASIK eye surgery

cataract surgery
LASIK is one of the most commonly performed surgeries to treat refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and  astigmatism. The surgery is done to reshape the outer clear layer of the eye, thus offering improved eye vision. It reduces dependence on eye glasses and contact lenses. Although the recovery time for LASIK surgery is fairly quick, as with any surgery, you should always follow your eye surgeon’s instructions to avoid complications. 

one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata, here we share with you precautions to take LASIK surgery:

Give proper rest to the eyes: Taking a nap after the surgery can offer some rest to the eyes. Sleeping will help in relieving discomfort and pain. 

Take the prescribed medicines: You will be prescribed some antibiotic eye drops to avoid eye infections and eye irritation.  Take the eye drops as per the instructions to prevent complications.  Leave a gap of five minutes between two medications.

Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes for a few days: During the surgical process of LASIK surgery, the hinged flap of the eye is folded backward for better access to the cornea. Once the surgery is done it is repositioned again without suturing. Rubbing your eyes too vigorously may dislodge the cornea flap, leading to complications. 

Wear eye-shield for the recommended days: It is advisable to wear the eye shield or plastic shield provided by the eye hospital. Wear it for 3 to 4 nights. This will prevent accidental rubbing of the eyes while you are sleeping. 

Wear sun-protection glasses: It is advisable to wear dark-coloured UV-protection eyeglasses whenever you step out of the house. UV radiation might lead to scarring and regression of the eye. 

Avoid wearing cosmetics:: It is best to not use face or eye cosmetics. Wearing cosmetics can increase the chances of eye infection. 

Avoid strenuous activities: Certain strenuous activities such as weightlifting and contact sports can put pressure on the eyes and thus, must be avoided. Also avoid any activity where you are at risk of getting hit in the eyes, which would complicate the recovery.

Avoid showers: Although you can bathe within 24 hours of your LASIK surgery, ensure that the running water should not get into the eyes for at least one week. For this, avoid showers and shampooing your hair at least for a week or so.

Avoid smoky and dusty environments: Being in smoky or dusty environments can irritate the eyes and make you want to rub them. Avoid outdoor areas where there is a lot of dust, dirt or smoke.

Avoid swimming: After LASIK, avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, and rivers for at least a week. Water-borne bacteria can cause eye infection.

If you are in Kolkata and searching for eye surgeons near me or best eye surgeon near me online, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. Our team of experienced and well-qualified eye specialists are well-versed in the latest medical technologies. Visit the nearest branch to consult our LASIK eye surgeon and other eye specialists

Frequently asked questions about laser eye surgery

LASIK or laser eye treatment is the best known and most commonly performed surgery to correct refractive errors. LASIK surgery helps to reduce dependence on prescription glasses and contact lenses.  Here we answer some of the common questions asked on LASIK:

Question: 1 How does LASIK surgery work?

During laser eye treatment, a special type of cutting laser is used to change the shape of the cornea. This helps to bend light correctly onto the retina at the back of the eye, providing clear vision. 

The LASIK eye treatment is relatively quick and painless and most people experience significant improvements in their vision after the surgery. If you are considering LASIK eye treatment, it is important to consult with an experienced ophthalmologist to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery.

Question: 2 How quickly will I see the results of laser eye surgery?

The level of discomfort you experience afterward depends upon the type of laser treatment you’ve undergone, but it is usually short-lived. Most people are able to enjoy the benefits of improved vision within a matter of days.

Question: 3 When can I go swimming after laser eye surgery?

It is important to take care of your eyes after laser eye treatment. One way to do this is to avoid swimming for at least two weeks. This helps to reduce the risk of infection, as bacteria can potentially enter the eye through the incision sites. Your eye doctor will advise when it is safe to resume swimming. In the meantime, you can still enjoy other activities, such as walking or running. Just be sure to wear sunglasses and avoid direct sunlight.

Question: 4 Am I a candidate for LASIK?

It is essential to understand that not everyone is suitable for laser eye surgery. Some of the basic requirements include:

  • The best corrected vision of at least 20/40
  • A stable eyeglass prescription for at least two years
  • No active eye disease
  • Healthy cornea
  • Over 18 years old

Question: 5 Can I go blind from laser eye treatment?

The laser used in the surgery targets the outermost layer of the eye, which means that there is no risk of permanently damaging the eye. However, as with any surgery, there is always a small risk of infection. If an infection develops, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately in order to avoid serious complications. 

Question: 6 What is the laser eye treatment cost?

The laser eye treatment cost varies depending on the hospital. Choosing a reputable laser eye surgeon and hospital will help to reduce your risk of developing an infection. Our surgeons and staff maintain the highest standards of sterile and surgical protocols to ensure the safety of our patients.

Question: 7 Will my vision be corrected forever?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. It helps to focus light as it enters the eye and plays an important role in vision. LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that is used to correct vision problems such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. During laser eye treatment, the cornea is reshaped using a laser. This can improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Once the cornea has been modified, it tends to stay in its new shape permanently. If there’s any regression in the first three months after surgery, it can be corrected with an enhancement procedure. 

Question: 8 How long does it take to do LASIK?

Usually, the laser eye treatment takes less than 10 minutes per eye. Depending on your prescription and the amount of correction needed, the laser treatment itself takes 20-50 seconds to correct your vision.

Question: 9 Which hospitals offer the best LASIK surgery in Kolkata? 

We, at Disha Eye Hospitals, offer laser eye treatment. We offer normal LASIK and contoura LASIK. Our eye surgeons have performed over 1,000,000 successful surgeries. Our eye doctors are well-versed with the latest medical techniques. Call us to book an appointment at the nearest branch.