Home » Other Types of Surgery » Laser Laser Surgery or lasik is a type of refractive eye surgery. It is performed by ophthalmologists who correct eye ailments like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The Procedure of Surgery is preferred to photorefractive keratectomy. Laser Surgery requires lesser time for the patient's recovery as compared to other methods of Eye Surgery.

The Procedure of Surgery during a Laser Surgery is also much simpler than Other Types of Surgery. Other advantages of such a surgery is that the patient feels less pain. Therefore, Laser Surgery has been considered as a better alternative to Lasik. Many patients prefer Lasik operation as an alternative to wearing spectacles or contact lenses. The Lasik technique was first tried by the Jose Barraquer, Colombian-based Spanish ophthalmologist. around 1950, this Colombian-based Spanish ophthalmologist developed the first microkeratome. He had cut thin flaps in the cornea and then changed its shape. This procedure was known as keratomileusis. He was the person who provided the knowledge about the amount of cornea needed to be left untouched for a stable long-term result. In the later days, RK (radial keratotomy) was started in Russia by Svyatoslav Fyodorov. In the 80’s development of PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) in Germany by Theo Seiler was also seen.

The entire procedure of this surgery includes several necessary preparations in the preoperative period. The surgery is done by creating a thin flap on the eye. The ophthalmologist folds it to enable recasting of the tissue on the lowerside with laser. Atbthe end of the surgery, this flap is put back in its original position and the eye is left to recover itself in the postoperative period. The preoperative measures for Laser Surgery are also important. Those who are wearing contact lenses are asked to stop wearing them approximately 5 to 7 days before the surgery. The patient's corneas need to be examined thoroughly before the surgery to detect astigmatism and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Obesides, an antibiotic is prescribed to minimize the risk of infection after the Laser Surgery.

The patient is not made unconscious during the Laser Surgery. Rather s/he is given a mild sedative (such as Valium) and anesthetic eye drops. The flap creation during the lasik surgery is also very interesting. Other features of the operation includes laser remodeling and reposition of flap. The patient needs to be more careful after the surgery has been done. They are usually given a course of antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops and a darkened pair of goggles which protects their eyes from bright lights. It acts as a protective shield which also prevent rubbing of the eyes when asleep. The patients should be made aware of the importance of proper post-operative care. The postoperation care is very critical as it helps you to minimize the risk of post-surgical complications. The complications of a Laser Surgery includes intraoperative complications, early and late postoperative complications.

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