LASIK Eye Surgery:
LASIK Surgery is an ambulatory procedure which only takes less than five minutes and is performed while you are fully awake. As quick as it may be, it is important to remember that you should have someone with you to assist you after the surgery.LASIK eye surgery is the best known and most widely done laser refractive surgery to correct vision issues. Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) may be an alternative to glasses or contact lenses.
A special form of cutting laser is used during LASIK surgery to correctly adjust the shape of the dome-shaped transparent tissue in the front of your eye (cornea) to enhance vision. The cornea bends (refracts) light precisely onto the retina at the back of the eye for eyes with regular vision. But the light is distorted wrongly with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism, resulting in blurred vision. Glasses or contact lenses can correct the vision, but the required refraction will also be given by reshaping the cornea itself.
Laser eye surgery only needs topical anesthesia – numbing eye drops will be used before the treatment to relieve you of any discomfort.
With your eye under the laser, your eye surgeon will create a thin, circular corneal tissue. The surgeon will then access the underlying cornea and remodel it to correct imperfections based on your particular prescription. Lastly, the flap is put back in place and the cornea is allowed to heal naturally. The procedure is done one eye at a time.
Why It’s Done
To fix one of these vision problems, LASIK surgery may be an option:
- Nearsightedness (Myopia): Light rays focus in front of the retina and distort distant vision when the eyeball is slightly longer than average or when the cornea curves too sharply. You can see objects very clearly that are similar, but not objects that are far away.
- Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Light focuses behind the retina instead of on it when you have a shorter than normal eyeball or a cornea that is too flat. This makes close vision, and distant vision at times, blurred.
- Astigmatism: The effect is astigmatism, which disrupts the focus of close and distant vision when the cornea curves or flattens unevenly.
You’re probably either wearing glasses or contact lenses if you’re considering LASIK surgery. If you feel you experience any of the above make sure that you check with a doctor and then your eye doctor will speak to you about whether the choice that will work for you is LASIK surgery or some similar refractive operation.
Types of LASIK Surgery
At EBSAAR Eye Surgery Center, we offer 5 types of LASIK treatment.
FemtoLASIK is a type of LASIK that uses a laser on the cornea to correcting nearsightedness, medically known as myopia and astigmatism. Previously, this was accomplished through blades that cut the cornea to create a flatbed, but FemtoLASIK uses a femtosecond laser—utilizing an excimer laser to correct the refractive condition itself.
About the procedure
- Procedure time: about 10 minutes per eye
- Typical results: 20/20 vision without glasses or contact lenses
- Recovery time: a few days to several weeks
Benefits
- More precise
- Bladeless
- Lower risk of corneal ectasia
- 100% safe
- Minimize corneal risks
- More accurate and predictable
In addition to providing a more comfortable procedure, added benefits to getting FemtoLASIK include:
- More corneal flap thickness
- Decreased risk of corneal abrasions during the procedure
- Reduced risk of astigmatism after the surgery
The ideal FemtoLASIK candidate
- Patients with mild/moderate myopia
- Patients with hyperopia and/or astigmatism
- Patients with adequate corneal thickness
Streamlight LASIK, a new advanced technology, combines a variety of improvements in laser technology to provide the patient with a safe, rapid, and successful eye treatment for those patients who are unable to have the typical Lasik flap. Without surgery, you can regain complete vision in just 20 seconds.
Benefits
- Less pain
- Higher accuracy
- Does not cause dry eye
- 100% safe
The ideal Streamlight LASIK candidate
- Patients with no history or findings of corneal disease
- Patients with at least 6-12 month of stable vision
- Patients with no notable dry eye
In UltraLASIK, the laser forms an ultra-thin corneal flap. This enables the surgeon to arrange the flap in the best possible location for the best possible outcome and ensuring the highest level of precision.
Eye drops are used to numb the eyes, and then the eyelids are held open to prevent the laser from interfering with the process. A corneal flap is formed and a thin layer of corneal tissues is vaporized according to your eye prescription using a blade called a microkeratome.
The eye begins to recover on its own when the flap is folded back into place, and you are able to see clearly.
Benefits
- Lower risk when cutting the corneal flap
- Ultra-safe
- Minimal dry eye
- Minimal discomfort
- 100% painless
The ideal UltraLASIK candidate
- Patients with no history or findings of corneal disease
- Patients with at least 6-12 month of stable vision
- Patients with no notable dry eye
Epi-LASIK laser eye surgery, often known as Epi-LASIK, is a hybrid of LASIK and LASEK procedure with slight tweaks in technique.
The aim of this operation is to lessen post-operative pain, speed up recovery time, achieve better eyesight faster with a shorter outpatient surgery, and lower the risk of side effects.
Benefits
- Less postoperative pain
- Less corneal haze reported
- Minimal discomfort
- 100% painless
The ideal Epi-LASIK candidate
- Patients with thin corneas or irregularly shaped corneas
- Patients predisposed to extreme trauma (i.e. boxer)
- Patients with large pupils
- Patients that previously had eye surgery, such as:
- LASIK
- Radial Keratotomy
- Retinal Detachment Repair
- Glaucoma Surgery
- Anyone who doesn’t want a LASIK flap
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a laser eye surgery procedure used to correct refractive defects to improve vision. Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. You may get PRK surgery in one or both eyes, depending on your needs. PRK is a procedure that predates LASIK surgery and is excellent for those who don’t qualify for LASIK. Both PRK and LASIK reshape the corneum.
About the procedure
- Procedure time: about 5 to 10 minutes per eye
- Typical results: around 90% of patients 20/40 vision 3 month after
- Recovery time: you will require a full day off to rest
Benefits
- Lower risk of dry eye
- 100% safe
- Cost-effective option
- Corrects Myopia
- Less likely to develop dry eye
The ideal PRK candidate
- Patients with thin cornea
- Patients with at least 1 year of stable vision
- Patients who don’t qualify for LASIK
- Athletes or those who participate in contact sports.
LASIK Surgery Benefits
Immediate Results
Compared to other solutions, LASIK treatment boasts of giving almost instant results. Patients usually come out with improved and virtually perfect vision the next day after the surgery.
Freedom from Corrective Eye-Wear
Being free of the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses is another reason why this treatment is being sought after. Because this treatment gives lasting results, you will also be free of the expenses of replacing or repairing the corrective eye wears.
New Activities and Career Opportunities
Activities that you cannot do before because of poor eyesight will now be possible. Driving, swimming, cycling, and other sports become more enjoyable because you are now free of wearing glasses or contact lenses.
More Self-Confidence
To top it all off, having a perfect vision boosts self-confidence! LASIK is considered to be life-changing especially to people who have always suffered from poor eyesight almost all their lives and were able to see things clearly with their naked eye after the surgery.
Working Hours
Sun, Tue, Wed -
Mon, Thu, Sat -
Friday -
9 AM - 6 PM
9 AM - 5 PM
Closed
Contact Us
- Villa 32 A, Jumeirah Beach Road, 4 A Street (behind the Village Mall)
- +971 4 344 01 22
- info@ebsaar.com
FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you still have questions about LASIK treatment, have a look at out FAQ or give us a call and schedule a consultation with an expert!
LASIK Treatment soared to popularity in 2001. The actual procedure in itself was spurred on by the discovery of the excimer laser on animal tissue which left no scarring after incision. It is dated back to the 1980s and was considered a revolutionary step forward in the surgical treatment of humans. Today, the procedure is popular in many parts of the world although you must exercise a lot of care and conduct a great deal of research before locking down a place.
Considering laser eye surgery primarily deals with the cornea and adjusting of its tissues, the surgeon should be someone who is a corneal expert. They should have adequate experience in handling the cornea and be able to identify even the smallest issues with it that could hinder chances for a successful LASIK treatment. When recommending laser eye surgery to you, listen carefully to see whether they are advising you taking your long-term vision health into consideration.
Given the delicate nature of LASIK treatment, aftercare needs to be meticulous. Although this differs from person to person on their individual requirement, some aspects remain the same such as:
- Dry eyes: Your doctor will prescribe eye drops to combat this. Do not use any other types of drops. Stick to your prescription.
- Pain/Discomfort: Antibiotics and painkillers will be allocated for you to take. Amongst these will be sleeping pills that will help you get some rest as you need to keep your eyes closed for a couple of hours after surgery. Do not worry as this pain is not as bad as you think it to be. Anesthesia and numbing drops are used and you only feel a mild discomfort the next day.
- Imbalanced vision: It might take a bit of time for your eyes to get adjusted to the changes which could lead to fluctuating vision. While this should go away, if it persists consult your doctor.
- Glare: Again though normal after the surgery, get it checked if it does not go away.
Although this is rare with LASIK treatment, it does happen. You will need to go in for regular check-ups so that your doctor can keep tabs on you and see how you are progressing. If there is no improvement, your doctors will conduct a number of tests to see what the issue is and why the surgery has not helped. Following this, they will book you in for another procedure to help improve your situation. Although rare, it is not unheard of as some need surgery twice to rectify the problem depending on how severe it is.
Yes, just as with any kind of medical treatment you undertake, there are some risks involved. Whilst some can be avoided through adequate care, the others are risks that are simply part of LASIK treatment as seen below:
- LASIK eye surgery cannot be reversed. Future improvements can be made to further correct vision, but nothing can be taken back.
- If you choose an inexperienced doctor, you could suffer irreparable damage with the flap in your cornea.
- What is known as ‘best vision’ can be lost around a year following the surgery. This vision is the highest vision you have with glasses or lenses.
As far as age limits go, you must be over the age of 18 to qualify for LASIK treatment as our eyes are still changing before that. The eye tends to change even in those over 18 and your doctor may look for stable vision for a period of at least a year before considering you for surgery. Those under the age of 18 will have to depend on their glasses and lenses for a while longer as they are the safer options. Aside from age, your health will be taken into consideration as well, especially other eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma which could prevent surgery.
What actually takes up time with this treatment is the consultation as your doctor will need to conduct a few tests and have an in-depth discussion with you regarding your health and family history. The actual surgery in itself takes approximately 10-15 minutes per eye. And yes, you can have treatment done in both eyes, but if you are going for this option you need to make sure you have someone on hand to help you get home and assist you with your daily activities as you will need to get plenty of rest. As for cost, it depends on your requirement although your insurance is not known to cover this type of surgery by default. You can check with them to see if you can have LASIK treatment included in your cover.