Contact Lenses make up for the superb medical devices that help people with vision problems to see the world around them clearly. Post the advent of the first contact lenses in 1930, its prototypes have come a long way. Until the late 1930s, it was only brown-scleral lenses which were made up of glass were dominating the market. Lenses made up of plastic were introduced much later.
Although easy to wear, contact lenses come with their own share of cons. Wearing them for too-long might lead to some serious disorders for your eyes. It can also lead to something worse, if you forget taking them off your eyes before sleeping. Hence, contact lenses are not at all designed in a way to withstand any negligent behavior.
What exactly is harmful about wearing contact lenses?
Our corneas are designed in a way that they need to receive oxygen from the atmosphere directly. Contact lenses hinder this process. Wearing contact lenses for too long leads to the Oxygen supply cut off to our corneas.
Contact Lenses are generally, very expensive and require the constant careful maintenance. There are several people who opt to wear contact lenses but only a very few amongst them report to have absolutely no difficulties. All disorders due to wearing contact lenses mostly arise owing to the failure to disinfect them regularly.
A few disorders may not be serious in the beginning but, in case, left unattended for too long, may lead to the major consequences in the long run.
A few consequences or disorders that may arise due to the use of contact lenses are as follows:
Harmful reactions due to cleaning solutions used to disinfect lenses.
Crack in lenses
Conjunctivitis
Irritated Cornea
Protein deposits on or inside the lenses
Damage to the surface of cornea due to frequent usage of contact lenses
Dry eye
Eye Ulcer
However, with various advancements in technology Lasik eye surgery has emerged as the new alternative for vision correction. Undergoing a Lasik eye surgery will potentially reduce the damages that are caused while using the contact lens. It will also reduce the expenses that are incurred in the process of maintaining a clear vision.
A-Z of Lasik eye surgery:
Understanding Lasik Surgery
The latest corrective method in the market to treat some commonly occurring vision disorders (nearsightedness or Myopia, farsightedness, Presbyopia, Astigmatism, etc) is known as Refractive Surgery. Lasik eye surgery is one such latest and popular form of the refractive surgery accompanied with other methods like intraocular lens procedures.
Lasik eye surgery is a procedure that requires a thin flap to be created inside cornea. These flaps are made using a “Microkeratome blade or Femtosecond Laser. Then these flaps are folded back by surgeons so that they may be able to scratch some of the corneal tissue under it, with the help of an excimer laser. Then the folded- flap is sealed back into place in order to cover the area from which the corneal tissue was originally scraped off.
For those who are suffering from nearsightedness, the aim is to flatten the level of steepness of the cornea. On the other hand, people who suffer farsightedness need to have steeper corneas. Astigmatism can be treated by balancing the irregularities in the shape of the cornea.
Advantages of undergoing a Lasik Surgery.
There are various advantages that are associated with undergoing a Lasik eye surgery. A few of them have been mentioned below:
The best part of undergoing a Lasik eye surgery is that the individual undergoing it feels no pain.
Lasik eye surgery is an outpatient’s procedure which means that you would not be required to stay back at the hospital and can be discharged within a couple of hours.
Also, the recovery post the surgery occurs very quickly. And, zero bandages and stitches are required in the operation procedure.
Lasik eye surgery can help you get rid of further vision correcting equipments such as glasses or contact lenses.
Adjustments for further corrective vision can be made after several years.
Who qualifies to undergo a Lasik Surgery?
Listed down below are a few pointers in accordance to which a person may qualify for a Lasik eye surgery.
You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for a Lasik eye surgery.
If you are 21 years old, you can apparently be treated for moderate or major nearsightedness or mild to medium farsightedness. Both of these might or might not be accompanied with Astigmatism.
You will qualify for a Lasik eye surgery only if your eyes are free from corneal abnormalities like scars and infections.
Although Lasik is an outpatient procedure, it is important for you to be able to lie down straight without any discomforts.
This method of eye surgery would require you to lay down and focus on a particular point so that best results are achieved. However, modern lasers are designed to keep up with eye moments.
You will also be required to signature a pre-informed consent document. This document will have instructions that will make sure that you understand the whole process of the surgery.
How to find out the best surgeons for Lasik Surgery?
There are a couple of things that need to be kept in mind while selecting efficient Lasik eye surgeon. They are as follows:
Experience: This is one thing that you can absolutely not overlook. A well experienced and qualified surgeon would be dexterous in the latest eye surgery procedures. Inquire about the number of surgeries he/she has performed and the success rate he/she has achieved.
Reputation: Apart from experience, the surgeon should be well reputed. You should be able to determine his/her credentials, memberships and success rates.
Technology: Inquire about what technologies your surgeon is using and how beneficial are they compared to the others that exist in the market.
Pricing and Finance: The pricing for a Lasik eye surgery can be a little daunting for people with comparatively modest incomes. Hence, this is one factor that should be looked for while selecting a surgeon.
In a report confirmed by the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, the success rate of Lasik eye surgeries is 96%. Lasik eye surgery is capable of getting you rid of your vision-related concerns permanently.