Excimer Laser: Comfortable Vision Correction

Who Can Benefit From This Laser Treatment?

Excimer laser is a popular and effective treatment for a variety of eye disorders. Known for its safety, low risk of complications, quick recovery time, and high success rate, it is widely recommended by eye care professionals. For more in-depth details about excimer laser treatment, please continue reading our article.

What is Excimer Laser?

The excimer laser is a specialized tool used in eye surgery to reshape the cornea”the outer surface of the eye. This procedure is commonly performed to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. By precisely vaporizing a thin layer of corneal tissue, the excimer laser alters the shape of the cornea, allowing light to focus more accurately on the retina and thereby improving vision.

Who is Excimer Laser Applied to?

Excimer laser treatment is typically recommended for individuals with vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or age-related macular degeneration. It's an attractive option for those who don't want to wear glasses or contact lenses, whether due to inconvenience, discomfort, or an active lifestyle that makes eyewear impractical. Candidates for excimer laser treatment generally meet the following criteria:

• Being over the age of 18, using glasses or contact lenses due to vision problems.
  
  
• Having eye diseases such as keratoconus, eye pressure, etc. in the eye.
  
  
• The eye number has not changing for at least a year.
  
  
• Not having systemic diseases such as diabetes.
  
  
• Not being pregnant or in breastfeeding period.

The Treatment and Cataract Surgery

Patients who have undergone excimer laser treatment can still have cataract surgery if needed. Excimer laser procedures correct vision by reshaping the cornea, while cataract surgery addresses clouding of the eye's natural lens. Since these treatments target different parts of the eye, one does not prevent the other. However, because excimer laser treatment changes the structure of the cornea, cataract surgery may require special planning for optimal results.

How the Procedure is Performed?

Excimer laser treatment has a series of stages, including what to pay attention to before and after. These stages can be explained as follows, respectively:

• Anesthetizing the eyes using eye drops: Local anesthetic drops are used in both eyes during the procedure, allowing the procedure to be performed without pain or discomfort.
  
  
• Flap creation or vaporization: Using an instrument, the ophthalmologist removes part of the top layer of the cornea and gains access to the tissues under the eye. This process is called flap creation. However, it is possible to vaporize the upper layer of the cornea without creating a flap in the excimer laser.
  
  
• Excimer laser procedure: The doctor focuses on a specific area of the upper layer of the cornea using an excimer laser and reshapes the corneal tissue with laser beams. The cornea is flattened or curved, suitable for hypermetropia, myopia or astigmatism.
  
  
• Flap placement: After the excimer laser process is completed, the flap is placed back in place and left to heal on its own.
  
  
• Use of eye drops: After the procedure, the ophthalmologist prescribes appropriate eye drops and recommends using them to support the healing process.

Eye Laser Treatment Methods

There are several eye laser treatment methods that utilize excimer laser technology. The most common options include LASIK, Femtolasik, No-Touch PRK, and PTK. Each of these treatments is described in detail below.

What is Femtolasik?

Femtolasik is closely related to the LASIK procedure, but differs in how the corneal flap is created. In traditional LASIK, a mechanical device called a microkeratome forms the flap, whereas Femtolasik uses a precise femtosecond laser for this step. This advanced laser technology can provide greater accuracy and may reduce the risk of potential complications during flap creation.

What is No Touch Prk?

No-Touch PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a laser eye surgery designed to help patients achieve clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Unlike traditional PRK, where the outermost layer of the cornea is removed using an alkali solution or a mechanical instrument, No-Touch PRK uses excimer laser technology to lift the surface layer with an alcohol solution. After this, the surgeon reshapes the underlying corneal tissue with the laser. This technique is especially beneficial for people with thin corneas, as it helps maintain more of the corneal thickness while correcting vision.

What is Ptk (Corneal Scar / Irregularity Treatment)?

PTK (phototherapeutic keratectomy) uses excimer laser beams to gently remove cells from the surface layer of the cornea by evaporation. This treatment helps smooth out surface irregularities and is highly effective for treating corneal scars. PTK is especially beneficial for conditions such as lattice dystrophy”an inherited corneal disease”and Salzmann nodules, which cause irregularities on the corneal surface.

Lasik

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular eye surgery used to correct vision problems. The procedure begins with the creation of a thin flap on the surface of the cornea. Using excimer laser technology, the surgeon then reshapes the underlying corneal tissue to improve how light is focused on the retina. Once the correction is complete, the flap is carefully repositioned to heal naturally, resulting in clearer vision for the patient.

What is the Difference Between Excimer Laser and Lasik Treatment?

Excimer laser technology is utilized in various eye surgeries, with LASIK being one of the most well-known applications. In LASIK, a flap is created on the cornea before reshaping the underlying tissue. However, some excimer laser procedures reshape the cornea by vaporizing the upper layer without needing to create a flap, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional LASIK.

Is Excimer Laser Treatment Safe?

Eye laser technology has been used globally for many years and is supported by numerous clinical studies as a safe and effective treatment option. As with any medical procedure, there are some potential risks and side effects. Fortunately, most side effects are mild and temporary, typically resolving within a few days while healthy vision is restored.

In How Many Days Does the Excimer Laser Heal?

Recovery after an excimer laser procedure depends on several factors, including your overall health, age, aftercare practices, corneal thickness, and the severity of your vision issue. Visual clarity often begins to improve within hours of the procedure. However, complete healing of the corneal flap may take several days to a few weeks.

At What Age Can Excimer Laser Be Applied?

Excimer laser treatment is recommended for individuals over 18 years old with stable vision conditions. It is generally not advised for younger patients, as vision prescriptions can change more quickly during adolescence.

Things to Pay Attention to After Excimer Laser Treatment

To reduce the risk of infection after laser treatment, avoid rubbing or touching your eyes. Consistently use the prescribed eye drops to promote faster healing. For optimal recovery, refrain from heavy physical activities for a period and protect your eyes from sunlight by wearing sunglasses.

* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .

* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .

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