12 | Greenstone health
Regain your
vision T
Each year millions of people discover life without glasses and contact lenses through
Lasik eye surgery. We get answers to the most common questions which people ask…
N
ot having the hassle of contact lenses and glasses makes everything from
seeing the alarm clock in the morning to staying up late with friends less
complicated. Laser eye surgery is an operation, which aims to reduce
dependence on glasses or contact lenses by correcting vision using
an excimer laser. It is a solution for those who enjoy outdoor sports
(Swimming, mountain biking, horse riding) and find it challenging to
participate in these activities while wearing contacts lenses or glasses.
During the ten minute surgery the laser reshapes the cornea of the eye in a
predetermined manner to improve unaided vision. We put some questions to the Dr Sachin
Bawa Cataract and Laser Vison Clinic:
Q
What is involved in laser eye surgery and how does it correct your vision?
Z-Lasik is a sophisticated version of Lasik which uses a low energy laser to correct
vision. Patients will require sophisticated testing and scanning of the cornea to determine
if they are suitable for laser eye surgery. A cool laser is used to sculpt the cornea to reduce
or eliminate the need for spectacles or contact lenses.
Q
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have astigmatism/high prescription?
Yes. Thanks to new technology more and more people are suitable for laser eye
surgery. Even people who have previously been told their prescription is too high or their
astigmatism can’t be treated. In fact 9 out of 10 patients are now suitable for treatment.
The only way to determine if you are suitable for corrective eye surgery is to attend a
consultation.
Q
Q
Q
How long does it take to perform?
Around 10 minutes per eye. The procedure is very simple and to gently reshape the
cornea to correct your vision typically takes less than one minute. Both eyes are treated on
the same day and vision improves over the next 24 hours
Are the procedures painful?
The procedure itself is painless. However, the eyes may feel a bit gritty after Lasik
for a few hours, but there is no pain.
What happens if I move my eye?
The laser has an eye-tracker that will track each and every small movement that
your eye makes. The laser only fires when the eye is perfectly in position so there
is no chance of your looking around affecting the procedure. The good news is that
most people find it very easy to keep the eye still by focusing on the targe