While glasses can be a beautiful accessory for some of us, other people feel embarrassed wearing them. Especially if the frame is not very thin because of the thickness of the lenses. In addition, wearing large glasses will leave scars under the eyes over time, and this is undesirable.
Many people also experience nasty comments and teasing because of their oversized mounts. Fortunately, you don't have to live with glasses anymore. It is now possible to correct your eye condition, once and for all, thanks to LASIK Surgery.
LASIK surgery to regain a clear view
Eye conditions usually diagnosed and treated by medical doctors specialized in eye health are myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. When a person does not have any eye condition, it means their eye has no anatomical defects.
There are several types of eye. A myopic eye has an elongated shape (too long eye). As a result, the light rays focus before the retina and this results in blurred vision from a distance.
The hyperopic eye, on the other hand, has a shortened shape (hence the term short eye). As a result, the perceived image falls behind the retina, and this results in blurred near vision.
As for the astigmatic eye, it is shaped like a Rugby ball. That is why the light rays focus on two points of the retina and this results in a blurred vision of the outlines of objects. Astigmatism may be associated with other vision problems.
Indeed, one can have a long or short eye, and in the form of a Rugby ball at the same time.
The role of the laser eye surgery is to correct these imperfections, by giving the eye a regular shape, that is to say, perfectly spherical.
LASIK surgery in stages
Before he performs surgery, the ophthalmologist anesthetizes with eye drops, then he is immobilized with an instrument in the form of a ring. Next, the ophthalmic surgeon makes an incision in the outer layers of the cornea, with a tiny surgical blade. The corneal flap is raised at the incision and the patient should gaze at a light spot.
Finally, the doctor uses the laser to correct the patient's eye defect.
To correct myopia, the laser is applied so that it shortens the shape of the eye. While to correct hyperopia, the laser enlarges the curvature of the eye. As for astigmatism, the laser standardizes the curvature of the eye.
The ophthalmologist then closes the corneal tissue and the membrane will heal naturally after a few days. Visual recovery will take place gradually over 48 hours.
Popular ideas around LASIK eye surgery
There are a lot of thoughts surrounding laser eye treatment, such as:
Is refractive surgery dangerous?
False! Only 1% of people who have had this surgery in Turkey suffer from complications. The latter are, in the majority of cases, transient. However, postoperative complications and medical errors should not be mixed up.
Is the laser painful?
False! During the operation, the eye surgeon makes a small incision, in the form of a flap, on the outer layer of the cornea. But this incision does not require stitches, as the corneal membrane usually heals within 48 hours. It does not cause pain but only a little discomfort.
No need for glasses after refractive surgery
True and false ! Most people have perfect vision after refractive surgery to the point where they no longer need glasses. However, LASER can completely correct weak or medium eye defects. As for acute vision problems, they can be corrected at a certain threshold, to allow the patient to wear thinner glasses. Other solutions may be offered to treat visual defects that LASIK cannot correct such as:
- Femto-LASIK;
- The Relex Smile.
Is refractive surgery for everyone?
False! Eye doctors and eye technicians (Ophthalmologists and optometrists) contraindicate LASIK surgery if you have:
- A too thin cornea (thin cornea);
- A large pupil;
- Keratoconus (cone-shaped eye);
- Diabetes ;
- Dry eyes;
- An age under 25 (sight problems not yet stabilized);
- A myopic eye with Glaucoma (an eye disease) or unstable eye pressure.
It may have some severe side effects in those cases. That's why a complete eye exam is needed before LASIK surgery.
Are contact lenses safer than laser correction?
True and false ! Some people cope better with wearing contact lenses than others. However, that doesn't mean that LASIK is less safe than eye lenses.
Can Laser vision care make you blind?
False! There are no confirmed cases of blindness due to refractive surgery.
Is refractive surgery a recent advance?
False! The first interventions performed by eye doctors to reshape the cornea were in 1940. LASIK, as it is known today, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.
Is LASIK more expensive than eyeglasses and contact lenses?
True ! However, this is a definitive solution for the sight problems associated with eye defects. Eyeglasses and contact lenses require maintenance, periodic replacement, and can sometimes be very inconvenient.
Does refractive surgery require hospitalization?
False! The surgery is done on an outpatient basis, just like a routine eye exam, no hospital or clinic stay would be necessary. The patient can return to work the day after the operation.
Is refractive surgery covered by the security?
No, it is not covered by social security. However, some health mutual funds agree to take charge of it.
Why do people choose Turkey for LASIK surgery?
Ophthalmologic health care in Turkey seems to be enjoying unparalleled success. Indeed, this country is counted among those which offer the best care in terms of correction of visual defects. Surgical interventions of ophthalmology are increasingly in demand in Turkey.
This is due to their reasonable prices and high success rates in some clinics and hospitals. Adding to this, the quality of service shown by some health facilities in Turkey. Furthermore, this surgery price is the lowest in Turkey comparing to other countries as this table shows:
Countries |
Average price of LASIK surgery |
Turkey |
€1390 (Full package) (generally including : transfer, surgery, 2 nights of hospitalization and interpreter service in clinic) |
Tunisia |
€2000 (Low success rate) |
Canada |
€3000 |
France |
€4200 |
USA |
€4500 |
Indeed, it is the best destination for medical tourism. You can take care of your eyes while enjoying the beauty of the country.