LASIK Surgery in Turkey Your Definitive Guide to Clear Vision
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a surgical technique used to correct refractive errors in the eye, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, which may otherwise require glasses or contact lenses. During the procedure, a laser is used to reshape the cornea, the transparent front surface of the eye, to improve its focusing ability.
LASIK surgery typically takes only a few minutes per eye and does not require general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort and eye redness for a few hours, but these symptoms usually subside within a few days. The goal of LASIK surgery is to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
To see clearly, light rays must pass through the cornea and lens. These structures bend (refract) the light to focus it on the retina. The retina converts the light into signals that are sent to the brain to become images. In the case of refractive errors, the shape of the cornea or lens prevents light from refracting properly.
When light doesn’t focus on the retina as it should, vision becomes blurry.
In a LASIK procedure, the ophthalmologist uses a laser to alter the shape of the cornea. This laser surgery helps improve the focus of light rays on the retina. LASIK is used to treat myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
The purpose of LASIK surgery is to correct refractive errors to improve vision. This surgery may reduce your dependence on prescription glasses or contact lenses, and in some cases, you may no longer need them at all.
Why is LASIK Eye Surgery Performed?
LASIK surgery is performed to correct refractive errors of the eye, which affect the eye’s ability to focus, thus requiring the use of glasses or contact lenses. The surgery aims to fix these refractive errors, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for corrective eyewear.
There are several types of laser vision correction surgeries, but LASIK is the most well-known and commonly performed. The term “LASIK” is often used broadly, including in this article, to refer to all types of laser eye surgeries.
Normally, images are focused on the retina at the back of the eye. In cases of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, images are focused either in front of or behind the retina, resulting in blurred vision.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
A condition where you can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. It occurs when the eyeball is slightly longer than average or when the cornea is too steeply curved, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
A condition where distant objects are seen clearly, but close-up objects are blurry. It happens when the eyeball is shorter than average or the cornea is too flat, resulting in light focusing behind the retina.
Astigmatism
Causes general blurry vision due to uneven curvature of the cornea in different areas, which disrupts focus for both near and distant vision.
Blurry vision can be corrected using glasses or contact lenses that refract (bend) the light rays properly. However, reshaping the cornea itself can provide the needed vision correction. The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye.
Before LASIK Surgery:
- The ophthalmologist conducts detailed measurements of the eye and checks its overall health.
- You may be given a mild sedative before the procedure (though this is uncommon).
- Anesthetic eye drops are used during the procedure.
The surgeon uses a specialized laser to precisely reshape the curvature of the cornea. With each laser pulse, a very small amount of corneal tissue is removed, allowing the cornea to be flattened or steepened as needed.
Laser Eye Surgery Techniques
LASIK:
In this technique, a flap is created in the cornea and then lifted to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. After reshaping, the flap is repositioned to its original place.
Advantages: Minimal discomfort and vision is usually restored within one or two days.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK):
Instead of creating a flap, the surface layer of the cornea is removed.
Disadvantages: The surface layer takes 3–4 days to heal, causing mild to moderate pain and temporary blurred vision.
Advantages: May be more suitable for individuals with thin corneas.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE):
A modern technique where a small lens-shaped piece of tissue is formed inside the cornea using a laser, then removed through a tiny incision, thereby reshaping the cornea.
Intraocular Lenses (IOLs):
Lenses are implanted inside the eye to correct vision. Commonly used in cataract surgery, but may be an alternative to LASIK for some cases.
Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs):
Soft lenses placed behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. Used to treat advanced cases of myopia and astigmatism.
Disadvantages: May increase the risk of cataracts or glaucoma.
Bioptics:
This technique combines multiple methods—such as lens implantation and LASIK—to treat myopia or hyperopia.
Each technique has its own pros and cons. The right method depends on your health condition and individual needs.
How is LASIK Eye Surgery Performed?
LASIK surgery is done using a laser and typically does not involve a surgical blade or general anesthesia. The procedure includes the following steps:
- The eyes are cleaned and a sterile tape is used to keep them open and prevent movement during the procedure.
- A laser is used to cut the surface layer of the cornea, creating a flap that is lifted back to reveal the inner corneal layers.
- The cornea is then reshaped using the laser to enhance its focusing ability and correct refractive errors.
- The flap is repositioned, where it naturally heals without the need for stitches.
- After the surgery, patients may experience some discomfort and eye redness for a few hours, but this usually subsides within a few days.
Who Is Not a Candidate for LASIK Surgery?
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Hormonal changes during these periods may affect visual refraction.
- Elderly individuals: Especially those with age-related vision problems.
- People with frequently changing refractive errors: Consistent vision is essential for accurate correction.
- Individuals with eye diseases or injuries: Certain conditions may reduce the chances of a successful outcome.
How Is a LASIK Surgery Candidate Evaluated?
Before the procedure, the ophthalmologist examines the eyes, assesses refractive errors, and checks how stable they are. The general health of the eyes is also evaluated to ensure there are no issues that could interfere with surgery.
In general, laser eye surgery is most suitable for individuals with moderate refractive errors and no unusual visual problems.
The ophthalmologist will ask detailed questions about your eye health and assess your eyes to rule out conditions that might lead to complications or poor outcomes, such as:
- Keratoconus: A degenerative condition that causes thinning and bulging of the cornea. If it runs in your family, even if you haven’t developed it, be cautious about elective eye surgery.
- Inflammatory conditions or infections: Such as keratitis, uveitis, or infections like herpes simplex.
- Eye injuries or eyelid disorders.
- Dry eyes: LASIK can worsen dry eye symptoms, so it’s important to evaluate and manage dryness beforehand.
- Large pupils: Especially in low light, large pupils may cause unwanted side effects post-surgery, such as glare, halos, shadows, and ghosting.
- Glaucoma: LASIK can raise intraocular pressure, potentially worsening this condition.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens can interfere with surgery or outcomes.
Situations That Might Make You Rethink LASIK Surgery
- Severe Myopia or Significant Refractive Errors: If you have extreme nearsightedness or a substantial refractive error, the potential benefits may not outweigh the risks.
- Mild Dependence on Corrective Lenses: If you only need glasses or contact lenses occasionally, the advantages of surgery may not justify the potential risks.
- Age-Related Vision Changes (Presbyopia): If you are experiencing difficulty focusing on nearby objects due to age, LASIK may not address this issue.
- High-Impact Sports: If you regularly engage in contact sports that involve direct hits to the face or eyes, like martial arts or boxing, LASIK may not be a suitable option.
Is Your General Health Suitable?
Your surgeon will ask about your overall health, as certain non-eye-related medical conditions can increase the risks of LASIK or make the outcomes less predictable, such as:
- Autoimmune Conditions: Diseases that affect the immune system and impair healing or increase infection risk, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or HIV/AIDS.
- Immunosuppressive Medications: Taking immune-suppressing drugs for any reason can affect healing.
- Uncontrolled Diabetes: This may increase the risk of complications like diabetic retinopathy.
Is Your Vision Stable?
If you’re nearsighted, your vision may continue to change during your teenage years and possibly longer. You should ideally be over 18, and preferably older, with stable vision before considering LASIK.
Do You Understand the Possible Side Effects and Complications?
Vision loss from LASIK is rare, but some side effects are common. Potential issues include:
- Dry Eyes: The procedure can temporarily reduce tear production, leading to significant dryness.
- Glare, Halos, and Double Vision: Night vision may be affected, and you might notice halos or glare around lights.
- Under or Overcorrection: Removing too little or too much corneal tissue may result in unsatisfactory outcomes and require further surgery.
- Astigmatism: Improper healing may induce astigmatism, necessitating additional correction through surgery or lenses.
- Inflammation or Infection: Rare, but they can negatively impact surgical results.
Most people achieve good to excellent vision after LASIK. However, you may still need glasses as you age or in low-light conditions.
The Final Decision
There are no one-size-fits-all answers when it comes to LASIK. Weigh all factors, make sure all your questions are answered, and choose based on your personal preferences and realistic expectations.
Vision After LASIK
About 9 out of 10 people (90%) who undergo LASIK achieve vision between 20/20 and 20/40 without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
It’s important to note that LASIK does not correct presbyopia, which is the natural, age-related loss of near vision. Whether or not you’ve had vision correction surgery, most people with excellent distance vision will still need reading glasses around the age of 40.
To address presbyopia, some people opt for monovision LASIK, where one eye is intentionally left slightly nearsighted for near tasks, while the other is corrected for distance vision. The brain adapts to use one eye for near vision and the other for distance.
However, monovision isn’t suitable for everyone. To determine if you can adapt to this setup, it’s best to try monovision with contact lenses first.
What Are the Risks of LASIK?
Like any surgical procedure, LASIK carries potential risks and complications that should be considered.
Some people experience side effects after LASIK, which usually resolve over time. However, in rare cases, these effects may persist. Nearly everyone who undergoes LASIK experiences dry eyes and daytime vision changes. These symptoms typically fade within a month but can last longer or even become permanent for some.
Other temporary or permanent side effects include:
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Blurred or hazy vision
- Itching, dryness, or other dry eye symptoms
- Light glare
- Halos or starbursts around lights
- Double vision
- Reduced vision in low-light settings
- Light sensitivity
- Small pink or red spots on the white of the eye (which usually fade over time)
Rare risks include:
- Eye infection
- Vision worse than before LASIK, even with glasses or contacts (known as loss of best-corrected vision)
- Vision loss
Additionally, post-LASIK vision may be under-corrected or over-corrected. These issues can often be improved with glasses, contact lenses, or an enhancement laser procedure.
If you’re comfortable wearing glasses or contact lenses, LASIK may not be necessary. Always discuss the risks and benefits with your ophthalmologist to determine the best choice for you.
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