| LASER VISION CORRECTION
An Introduction to LASIK, LASEK and PRK Vision Correction
Your Personal Best
Imagine your life without glasses or contacts. Imagine feeling your best and looking your best all the time. Well, now you don't have to imagine anymore. Because today, through laser vision correction, clear vision without glasses or contacts has become a reality for millions of people around the world.
The Way You See
In a normal person the image is focused on the back of the eye called the retina.
However, in myopia (short-sightedness) the eye is too strong and distant objects are focused in front of the retina. In these cases, “minus” glasses or contact lens are needed.
In hyperopia (far-sightedness) the eye is less strong and the close distance objects are focused behind the retina. A “plus” lens is needed to focus the image on the retina.
In astigmatism the eye surface is uneven and the eye is shaped like a baseball. Glasses or contact lens can treat the problem. These problems can also be corrected by laser vision correction.
In fact, laser vision surgery can now safely correct all three vision defects
What Is Laser Vision Correction?
The cornea is responsible for two-thirds of the focusing power of the eye. For almost 3 decades, doctors have tried to treat vision errors by placing incisions on the cornea and by various other means. Research in the 1980s led to the use of the Excimer laser in treating these problems with greater accuracy and predictability. The laser, when applied, does not penetrate the eye. Instead, it only removes the top layers of the cornea to re-shape and thus improve its focusing power.
How Does Laser Vision Correction Work?
Laser vision correction can be performed using different techniques. These are as follows:
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
In PRK, the laser is applied directly to the top layer of the cornea to re-shape it in such a way so that the image gets focused onto the retina.
LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis)
In LASEK, the corneal epithelium is rolled over with the help of a spatula. After the laser treatment the flap is replaced over the cornea. In both PRK and LASEK a contact lens is placed for 2-3 days for the epithelium to heal.
LASIK (Laser-in-Situ Keratomileusis)
In LASIK, the corneal surface is cut with the help of a microkeratome and the laser treatment is done under the flap. The flap remains attached to the cornea with a hinge so that it can be replaced over the cornea after the treatment without any sutures. The vision improves in a day or two with almost no discomfort.
Al Zahra's MEL80 Excimer Laser System
In 1993, Al Zahra was the first to introduce laser vision correction in the UAE. Staying abreast with the rapid technological advances in this field, the Laser Vision Clinic at Al Zahra is now equipped with the latest, 4th generation, MEL80 Excimer Laser from Carl Zeiss, Germany.
In tandem with the above, we use the best microkeratome (a device used for cutting the corneal flap in LASIK), the Amadeus ® from Allergen, USA. Both are well known for their precision and accuracy.
Customised To Your Needs
At Al Zahra, laser vision correction is customised to meet your individual needs.
Each patient undergoes detailed investigations before laser surgery is performed. These include routine eye examination, computerised eye check-up, wave front and corneal topography (to determine the shape of the cornea), size of the pupil (to reduce glare and halos at night), dry eye test, corneal thickness pachymetry (to reduce the chance of post-operative thinning and bowing of the cornea), and dilated retinal examination (to detect retinal holes).
Is This Procedure For You?
In the past, laser vision correction was normally reserved for treating people with low to moderate degrees of short-sightedness (myopia). Newer technological advances and techniques, such as LASIK, have now enabled treatment of myopia ranging from -1.00 to -14.00 dioptres, hyperopia (far-sightedness) of up to +6.00 dioptres, and astigmatism of up to -5.00 dioptres.
If you are over 20, your vision has remained stable over the past one year, and you do not suffer from diabetes or any auto-immune disorder, then you could be well-suited for this procedure.
A comprehensive booklet giving detailed information about these procedures is available for your guidance.
The First Step
Obviously, a complete review of your medical and optical history is the first step in deciding whether laser vision correction is practical for you. Then, based on your specific situation and degree of correction required, we will help you decide whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure.
So if you have imagined the day when you could finally throw away your glasses or contacts, arrange for a consultation soon. It could be the first step to the normal, natural sight you have always dreamed of having.
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