What is laser vision correction?

Laser vision correction is a painless and safe procedure during which UV rays change the shape and thickness of the cornea, thereby correcting the diopter. The result is clear vision without glasses and contact lenses.

This procedure belongs to refractive surgery. It has been used for more than 30 years and is considered the most frequently performed elective procedure at the patient’s request. The popularity of laser vision correction is best illustrated by the fact that, on average, more than one million people worldwide undergo this surgery every year.

According to studies by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), patient satisfaction after laser vision correction is over 97%, while the level of satisfaction with other elective procedures (aesthetic corrections, liposuction, etc.) is up to 85%.

Am I a candidate for laser vision correction?

Before the procedure, it is necessary to perform a very detailed preoperative examination to determine whether your eyes are suitable for laser vision correction.

If you wear contact lenses it is important that you remove them in time before the examination so that relevant results can be obtained at the preoperative examination.

Remove soft contact lenses at least 7 days before the examination
Remove gas-permeable contact lenses at least 14 days before the examination
Remove hard contact lenses at least 30 days before the examination

laser vision correction examination

Which diopters can be corrected with a laser?

The laser can correct the following diopters:

Farsightedness (hyperopia) up to +5.0D
Nearsightedness (myopia) up to -10.0D
Astigmatism up to +/-5.0D

Patients often ask what the lowest diopter is that can be corrected with a laser. There is no clearly defined limit, but in practice diopters lower than 0.75 are usually not corrected because they are not considered to significantly affect the quality of vision.

Conditions for laser vision correction

Age: from 20 to 50 years
Diopter range: from -10.0 to +5.0, including astigmatism up to +/-5.0
Diopter stability: the diopter has not changed by more than +/- 0.50D in the last year (i.e. 2 years in cases of high minus diopters and in patients at the lower age limit)
A healthy cornea of sufficient thickness
A healthy eye without associated eye diseases, infections or eye injuries
No contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding, systemic and autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases

What does the examination for laser vision correction look like?

Preoperative preparation is very important, as it greatly affects the success and safety of the surgery itself and the postoperative results.

The preoperative examination is performed by prior appointment. The total duration of the examination is about 2-3 hours. This is one of the most detailed ophthalmological examinations, which checks the overall health of the eyes.

The examination consists of:

Computerized diopter measurement on an automatic keratorefractometer and diopter correction with narrow and dilated pupils (in cycloplegia)
Computerized corneal topography – the most important part of the examination, which scans the thickness, curvature and detects possible abnormalities of the cornea
Tear film testing (Schirmer and BUT test)
Optical biometry – which provides precise calculations of corneal curvature
Optical coherence tomography – which provides an important image of the posterior segment of the eye
Measurement of intraocular pressure
Examination of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye on a biomicroscope

laser vision correction examination All included diagnostic imaging is quick and non-contact. No part of the examination is harmful to the eye or uncomfortable for the patient. The only inconvenience is blurred vision for 2-3 hours after the examination, until the pupils constrict again.

PRK and LASIK methods of laser vision correction

The most common methods of performing laser vision correction are the PRK and LASIK methods. The final effect of good vision without glasses and/or contact lenses is the same with both methods, but they differ in how the surgery is performed and in the length of postoperative recovery.

PRK and LASIK laser vision correction

Laser vision correction involves the effect of UV rays on the cornea, changing its shape and thickness and correcting the diopter. To achieve this, it is necessary to bypass the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium), and these surgical methods differ precisely in how this is done:

With the PRK method, the epithelium is removed with an epithelial brush, and at the end of the surgery a therapeutic contact lens is placed on the eye, which remains for a few days until the epithelium heals.
With the LASIK method, a special device (microkeratome) is used to cut the epithelium, creating a “flap” which, after the laser rays have acted, is returned to its place and heals within one day.

LASIK	PRK
Achieving maximum visual acuity after just a few days.	Applicable even in patients with thinner corneas and/or poorer tear film quality.
Lower risk of postoperative infection and inflammation.	No risk of possible complications due to corneal cutting (as with LASIK).
Faster postoperative recovery with less discomfort.	Lower risk of pathological changes in corneal thickness and shape.

The decision on which method will be applied is made by the surgeon based on the results of the preoperative examination.

Surgery

It is recommended that the patient come to the surgery with an escort, in comfortable clothes that can be buttoned and to bring protective sunglasses. An examination is performed on the biomicroscope and a conversation with the patient is held during which the doctor once again goes through the most important information and advice. After that, anesthetic drops are instilled into the eyes, which makes the procedure painless.

In the operating room, the doctor is present, a medical technician who provides assistance, and an engineer who sets all the necessary parameters on the laser. The patient lies on the bed of the laser system, is awake, conscious and in constant communication with the doctor. Before the procedure itself, the eyes are additionally anesthetized with a sponge soaked in anesthetic and then the doctor gently places an eyelid holder that prevents the eye from blinking. The patient should fix their gaze on the green light of the laser head above them, but even if they blink, they cannot jeopardize the surgery. Namely, the advanced laser system Allegretto Wave EyeQ</a > has integrated highly sophisticated “Eye tracker” software that tracks eye movements at a speed of 400 movements per second and every time it goes out of focus, the laser automatically stops working. The surgery itself does not last longer than 10 minutes for both eyes, and the laser action lasts only 2.5 seconds per diopter.

We perform laser vision correction using two techniques. Both are painless, safe and provide the same final effect – good and clear vision:

LASIK (laser – assisted in situ keratomileusis)
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and modified PRK – ASA (advanced surface ablation)

Immediately after the procedure, in the operating room, the patient feels the first effects of better vision. This is also the most emotional moment for most patients, because it is the moment when they realize that from then on their life has changed. After the surgery, if necessary, a soft therapeutic protective lens is placed and the patient receives the necessary verbal and written instructions regarding the lifestyle after the procedure, as well as the necessary medications.

Patient experiences

The experiences of our patients regarding laser vision correction are extremely positive. We value our patients’ opinions and that is why we have created a special section “Experiences” on our website where you can read their stories. In this way, we try to bring the procedure as close as possible to future patients through the experiences of those who have already gone through it.

Laser vision correction in children

Laser vision correction in children is not recommended. Patients younger than 20 years of age are not suitable candidates for this procedure. The reason is that in people of this age refractive stability has not yet been achieved, meaning that their diopter may change due to changes in the characteristics of the refractive system.

Pregnancy and childbirth

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, due to the effect of hormones, diopter instability may occur. This is why laser vision correction is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The advice is to wait with the procedure until after childbirth and the breastfeeding period.

Side effects

Nearly 40 million people worldwide have undergone laser vision correction so far. This is also one of the best-accepted and most successful procedures on the human body, with a success rate of 95%. Satisfactory success and safety of the method are achieved primarily through a thoroughly performed ophthalmological examination and realistic assessment of the condition of the eye and the patient’s overall health. The incidence of complications with this procedure is less than 1%.

Laser vision correction – price

The price of laser vision correction at the Perfect Vision Center for Laser Eye Surgery is one of the most affordable in the region.

Laser Eye Surgery