Laser technology is used to treat many medical conditions, and is now used as a crucial solution in the world of eye and vision care. Laser eye surgery is a procedure done to correct eye conditions that impair one's vision.

Conditions

Laser eye surgery is used to correct eye conditions of visual impairment, such as nearsightedness (technically called myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. In all cases, light does not focus on the retina of the eye properly, causing visual impairment.

Functions

Laser eye procedures correct vision by reshaping the cornea and/or removing some of its tissue, so that light focuses properly on the retina for perfect or near-perfect vision. Nearsightedness requires the flattening of the cornea; farsightedness requires its steepening; and astigmatism requires a reshaping of the cornea tissue.

Types

Eighty-five percent of eye surgery patients opt for LASIK eye surgery, according to the Guardian UK's "Consumer test: Laser eye surgery," by Ed Ewing.

How It Works

For LASIK surgery, a flap is made on the cornea, beneath which corneal tissue is reshaped or removed. For the procedures of PRK and LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis), a relatively new variation of PRK, the cornea is approached directly by the laser beams, since it is too thin to be sliced.

Benefits

Treatment is fast (completed within 10 minutes), highly effective and requires minimal recovery time with very few side effects. Results are almost immediate.

Risks and Complications

Anything done during surgery is permanent, and cannot be undone, but only "enhanced" by another identical procedure. Significant mistakes can cause permanent vision damage.

Source:

All About Vision: "LASIK & Laser Eye Surgery: A Complete Consumer Guide," Oct. 5, 2009

WebMD Eye Health Center: "LASIK Laser Eye Surgery," by by Tracy C. Shuman, MD, Oct. 01, 2005

Guardian UK: " Consumer test: Laser eye surgery," Ed Wing, Nov. 25, 2006