Eye surgery can help you see better and reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Typically, the most common type of eye surgery is LASIK, which permanently changes the shape of the cornea to correct vision problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism, and other forms of refractive errors.
During eye surgery, your doctor creates a flap in the cornea and then uses an excimer laser to reshape your cornea and improve your vision. This is a very safe and predictable procedure, and recent advancements in technology have made it even more precise than before.
There are many different types of eye surgery, and the type of treatment your doctor recommends depends on several factors, including your current level of vision, any previous ocular health conditions, and the specific problem that you wish to address with eye surgery. In addition to LASIK, there are also various surgical techniques for glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and other vision disorders.
For glaucoma, your doctor may perform laser procedures to increase the amount of fluid draining from your eye. These include iridotomy, which involves creating a small opening in the iris that allows fluid to flow through it; and trabeculoplasty, which uses a laser to create a flap in the sclera (the white of the eye).
If you have a strabismus or an overly long eyelid, you might benefit from blepharoplasty, which can help reduce or remove excess skin, making your eyelid appear more normal. In blepharoplasty, the surgeon can remove excess fat, skin, or cartilage from your upper or lower eyelids to improve their appearance and function.
In most cases, you will be given sedation to make you comfortable during your Eye surgery BC and allow your doctor to perform his or her job safely. The level of sedation will vary, but it is generally minimal, so you remain awake while feeling relaxed.
Your vision will be blurry and your eyes will be itchy after the procedure, but most patients recover well with little discomfort or pain. Your ophthalmologist may prescribe pain medications or lubricating eye drops to make you comfortable during the first few days after your surgery.
Most people who undergo LASIK recover within one day and can return to work, school, and other daily activities immediately after their surgery. However, some people experience some blurry or hazy vision for up to two weeks after the procedure.
The results of LASIK usually last for years, but you will have to come in for follow-up visits periodically to monitor your progress. You will need to be sure to schedule these appointments with your ophthalmologist in order to ensure your vision remains stable.
Your doctor will give you instructions for aftercare after the procedure, such as using eyedrops or prescription medications to control inflammation, infection, and high pressure in your eyes. You will also need to wear an eye shield at night until you have healed completely. During this time, you may experience sensitivity to light, starbursts or haloes around lights, blurry vision, and red, irritated eyes. These symptoms should subside and your vision should be normal or clear within three to six months after your surgery.