subject: Laser Eye Surgery [print this page] We walk around and see people who are wearing eye glasses all the time. There are about one in five people who have or will have eye problems or limited visibility of their sight. People are choosing to correct their sight with a procedure called laser eye surgery, for those who qualify to do so. After laser eye surgery if done correctly, glasses or contacts are not needed to see.
There are three types of eye surgeries. The more popular on is called Lasik surgery. This process involves creating a flap by cutting off a thin layer of the cornea, which further enables the laser to aim for the tissue beneath. The flap is simply placed back, and regenerates naturally. The results are almost immediate; vision is restored in no time. There are no sutures needed for this easy eye surgery. The second type of eye surgery involves a fractional removal of the epithelium to reveal the cornea. The cornea is then firmed or reshaped by a laser; a hand held device that releases beams of light. This eye surgery is called; 'Epiflap' or 'Lasik'. The outer layer of cells is pushed back, and the eye heals shortly after. The last eye surgery had been used for years; it involved the entire removal of the epithelial cells on the eye. While Lasik is used to treat severe hyperopia or myopia, Lasik is only used to correct mild to average myopia. This surgery had to be replaced because not everyone who needed laser eye surgery fit the profile of having a mild to average myopia of their eyes.
Laser eye surgery is so common no that it is done on an outpatient basis. Patients come in and have the surgery done and go home the same day.
