How often have you forgotten your spectacles at home and had difficulty recognising people's faces from a distance? These are some of the widespread yet frustrating problems people face with glasses. One of the most convenient and revolutionary technologies for solving this problem is laser eye surgery, popularly known as LASIK surgery.
With about a quarter of the world facing vision problems, it's not surprising that laser eye surgery is becoming increasingly popular. This blog aims to give you an insight into this technology and how it is revolutionising the world.
The need for LASIK:
When we look at a particular object, light from that object enters the eye and passes through the natural lens of the eye. This natural lens is responsible for correctly refracting the light to hit the retina. The eye's retina is responsible for focusing all the light and sending signals to the brain to help us interpret what we're seeing.
When light does not focus upon the retina correctly, vision can get blurry. This might be because the cornea isn't curved perfectly, or it can be because the eye lens present in our eye is slightly longer or shorter.
This refractive procedure is usually done to correct one of the following three vision problems: Myopia, Hypermetropia, and Astigmatism.
How does LASIK work?
Laser surgery is a procedure where the patient's cornea is reshaped by using an evolved cutting laser technology to help it refract the light to provide clear vision. Corneal reshaping is done by mapping the entire cornea precisely and then using this to plan the surgery accurately.
Pros:
1. Quick and safe – The most inviting aspect of this procedure is that it is a short one. LASIK takes only 10 minutes to mitigate your vision problems for each eye, so 20 minutes total to have perfect vision. It is also a very safe procedure, with 98 percent of people satisfied with the surgery's results.
2. Painless procedure – This procedure is entirely painless due to the eye drops your surgeon will apply at the beginning of the operation. Moreover, there is minimum post-operative pain, with no stitches or bandages required after LASIK.
3. Fixed cost – While the procedure is cumbersome on the wallet, it is a one-time investment. Glasses and contact lenses are cheaper than surgery, but they are building expenses with the cost of regular eye check-ups, lenses, and frames. However, there's a good chance LASIK is not covered by your insurance. Research online health insurance to find one that does.
4. Enjoy your favourite sports without fear – For many people, this surgery is not an option but a lifesaver. Whether you want to enlist in the police, army or play contact sports where wearing glasses is not an option, LASIK is the knight in shining armour if you don't want the hassle of carrying your lenses and lens cleaning solution everywhere.
Cons:
While this procedure has numerous advantages, there are some drawbacks too. You need to take several things into consideration before taking this big step. It is a huge investment and might burn a hole in your pocket if you're not ready. Like any other surgery, there are risks and side effects involved. Some side effects include dry eyes, a halo effect with bright light, and poor night vision. Consult your eye specialist before making any decision.
Although laser eye surgery is relatively quick and painless, you must take proper precautions. Avoid using any eye makeup or lotions around the eye for about three days before the surgery. Also, make sure to arrange a ride back home because you might not be able to drive right after the surgery due to blurred vision and the sedative. As most insurance plans might not cover the cost of laser eye surgery, it is best to research online health insurance to understand the terms.
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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.