Technology moves at alarmingly fast rates now, and where glasses or contact lenses have been required in the past to correct vision deficiencies there is now an alternative. Laser eye correction is a relatively affordable procedure that means you won't need to wear your reading glasses anymore and can correct virtually any eye problem. It is suitable for any adult with an eye problem and may be the answer you are looking for.

What is Laser Eye Correction?

Laser Eye Correction, or refractive surgery as it is also known, is a quick procedure usually taking up to 15 minutes per eye. The actual laser treatment consists of less than 1 minute. During this process a laser scans your eyes pinpointing hundreds of unique points on your cornea. Once this is done, the software used can determine exactly where the fault lies and ascertain the minor adjustments needed to restore your sight back to a reasonable level. The laser then reshapes the cornea so that your eyesight becomes at least 20/40 vision, although in most cases it can be restored completely to 20/20 vision. Your surgeon will, of course, talk you through the exact procedure before surgery commences and if you have any questions, do not be afraid to ask.

You will be administered with anaesthetic eye drops prior to any procedure and a subtle restraining device placed on your eyes so there is no danger of you blinking. The apparatus accounts for small eye movements, so even if you can't quite manage to stare at the red light all the way through the procedure there shouldn't be a problem.

Most patients suffer from little or no discomfort and the recovery time after the procedure is very little. It is advised that on completion of the correction you rest your eyes until next day, don't stare at a television or a computer and don't go anywhere where there is smoke or other pollutants. Next day you should be able to return to your normal daily life without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Exactly how effective is the treatment?

Approximately 95% of patients have 20/20 vision or better following treatment and half have reported that their eyesight is better after treatment than when using glasses or contacts before. Ordinarily there is no need for further treatment because the sight you have after correction is the sight you will have for the rest of your life. In fact, many clinics offer the equivalent of a lifetime guarantee, so if you do need any enhancements you will receive them free of charge.

In patients over the age of forty it will probably be necessary to still wear reading glasses because they are required for problems other than cornea problems that can't be treated by correctional treatment. As a general rule, though, if you have an eye problem that means you need to wear glasses to improve your sight and your sight has been at a steady level for 12 months or more the laser surgery should be successful.

The cost of Laser Eye Correction varies depending on the level of treatment you need and other determining factors but you can expect to pay between $800 and $1000 per eye. Usually, if you have both eyes done in the same visit (There are no known problems with choosing to do this) then you can expect to pay a little less.

The possible risks of Laser Eye Correction.

As with all surgery there are small risks associated with Laser Eye Correction.

There is a very low risk of infection, affecting only around 1 in 5000 patients. Most surgeons and clinics will provide you with a course of antibiotics and check ups to ensure that your eyes are reacting well to the surgery.

An enhancement may be required to correct your vision if surgery leads to over correction or under correction. Again, this is rare but still possible because everyone's eyes are different. Some are softer than others and some harder. This can lead to under correction or over correction.

During a short period after treatment you may experience seeing halos around objects when viewed at night, but this should normally clear up after a week or so. If you continue to experience these problems then consult the surgeon who completed your correction treatment for further advice.

If you directly touch or injure your eye immediately after surgery or within 24 hours you should consult your surgeon as this can lead to a shifting of the flap that is created during treatment. A little care and attentiveness will prevent this from happening and almost any risk of shifting flaps is massively reduced after 24 hours.

Laser Eye Correction is now a mainstream treatment for the masses. Many people who wear glasses or contact lenses have considered Laser Eye Correction because it is a painless, easy procedure that will fix your eyesight and alleviate the need to wear glasses.

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with the treatment but they are minimal and consultation with your surgeon should allay any fears you may have.

©2005 Jenna Keys