Laser Eye Surgery Overview

Laser eye surgery has seen a quite radical reduction in prices and an increase in popularity. The procedure entails the permanent changing of the patient's cornea in order that they can be less dependent on contact lenses or glasses. In most cases, the procedure is completed in a matter of minutes and following a day or so of rest, the patient can go back to work without having to wear glasses. Laser eye surgery is a very effective technique, but does not beat vision problems caused by ageing, such as presbyopia.

Preparation

There is very little necessary preparation for laser eye surgery. The procedure itself is usually conducted under local anaesthetic and completed in a matter of minutes. As such, apart from making practical arrangements and removing any make-up there is little else for the patient to do. You should not drive immediately after the surgery, so arrange a lift to and from the hospital. While there are no restrictions in the food you eat or the prescription drugs you take just prior to the surgery it is best to let the surgical team know if you are taking any prescribed medication.

The Laser Eye Surgery Procedure

The laser eye surgery procedure really is a simple one and it is even possible to have both eyes operated on in the same day. Local anaesthetic is administered, usually in the form of eye drops, and once this has been given ample opportunity to work, a surgical knife is used to make a tiny flap in the cornea. A laser is then used to deteriorate a portion of the now loose cornea and the remaining cornea is replaced. The procedure is not known to be a painful one although you may feel some discomfort during and immediately following the operation.

Possible Side Effects And Complications Of Laser Eye Surgery

There are surprisingly few complications when the procedure is performed by a surgical specialist. Minor complications can include unusually dry eyes for some weeks, which can be treated with drops. For a short while after surgery you may experience a glare when night driving. This becomes increasingly more likely with procedures requiring a lot of corrective work. Severe problems are extremely rare with laser eye surgery, but could lead to some sight loss that can only be rectified with corneal surgery or permanent contact lenses. While laser eye surgery can be performed on both eyes at the same time, this increases the possibility of contamination.

Costs

Corneal laser eye surgery is surprisingly inexpensive. Laser eye surgery performed on a single eye  at a private hospital typically costs around £1,000 up to as much as £1,500. Some NHS hospitals can also perform the procedure.