In plain sight: The lowdown on Lasik surgery

The Number game

Every year more than a million people undergo Lasik procedures in the US alone, while an estimated 20 million patients receive the treatment worldwide, according to the Eye Surgery Education Council.

For those squeamish about the idea of any sort of ocular tampering, the figures should put your mind at ease. According to The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), complications arising from Lasik eye surgeries are a meagre 1 to 5 percent, which comprise mostly the expected, and rarely, the unexpected side effects of the procedure. A popular online medical journal in 2006, reported that contact lens users had a greater overall risk of eye infections as opposed to one in 2000 for Lasik patients.

LASIK

‘Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis' - better known as ‘Lasik' - is a quick, safe and relatively painless procedure that involves the creation of a corneal flap and ablation of the cornea using laser, thereby correcting refractive errors. The more recent technology of ‘bladeless Lasik' has gone one step further by reducing the role of the blade and making the procedure more precise and low risk. Ask your surgeon if you will have a bladeless or a blade Lasik procedure. "Bladeless Lasik reduces complications and makes the procedure more precise," says Dr. Salam C Kandi, ophthalmologist at Umm-Al-Quwain Hospital. Though some experts believe that a procedure involving a cut done by a blade in a micro keratome (a precision surgical instrument with oscillating blades) heals much faster as tissue is not being burned by the laser.

What is it for?

Commonly used to correct myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism (a common condition involving irregularly shaped cornea).

Choosing a surgeon

This is perhaps the most important decision you will take. Meet a couple of surgeons before making your final choice. The surgeon will examine your eyes to determine their health, what kind of vision correction you need, and how much laser ablation (cornea tissue removal) is required. The doctor will also determine whether you're healthy enough to undergo Lasik.

The procedure

It is quick, safe and relatively painless, lasting not more than ten minutes per eye, which is numbed by anaesthetic eye drops. The patient remains awake during the entire procedure.

Recovery

Recovery time is from one week to several months although many patients improve in a day or two. Follow your surgeon's instructions and you'll be back at work in no time.

Risks and complications

• Corneal Striae occurs when wrinkles appear on the Lasik flap. This usually happens if the flap is not made correctly.
• Irregular astigmatism due to a less than smooth corneal surface.
• Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) is inflammation under the Lasik flap and can cause vision loss if treatment is delayed.
• Dry eyes: according to a 2006 American Journal of Ophthalmology almost half of all patients reported experiencing problems with dry eyes.
• Redness
• Photosensitivity
• Glare, halos and starbursts

Infection

Most side effects can be medically treated and are expected to resolve within weeks to months from the date of surgery. But very rarely a follow-up surgery may be required if a patient was under or overcorrected. There are very few cases of serious complications.

Will I Need glasses again?

"Most likely no. However, patients may need reading glasses if they are older," says Dr Farooq Ashraf at the Atlanta Vision Clinic in Dubai. Significant over or under correction can be treated with further correction procedures.

Your candidacy

The only person who can ascertain if you are the right candidate for Lasik is your doctor after he runs preliminary tests and examines you. Generally you're not a good candidate if you have a disease that may affect healing, are on steroid medications or if you have any autoimmune disorders.

Ripe Age, the right age!

Many doctors will not take up candidates who are below 18 years as the eye is likely to change shape and curvature throughout young adulthood.

Centres for Lasik surgery

In the past decade Thailand has emerged as one of the best and most cost-effective centres for medical treatment. Owing to exorbitant medical costs in the west and due to Thailand's recreation possibilities and its own medical efficacy and state of the art options, it is now considered one of the best overseas options for Lasik eye care. Visit: http://www.medithai.net, a web portal for Thai medical tourism, for a list of the best options in Thailand.

Need good options in Dubai? Call the following to book a free consultation:

The Atlanta Vision Clinic, 04-348-6233

City Hospital, 04-435-5999.

Your bills

Many factors affect the cost, like the choice of surgeon, the technology employed and the location. Generally the procedure costs between Dh3,500 and Dh7,000 per eye. The figure varies slightly depending on the choice of physician and centre. Most insurance companies do not cover Lasik, but Daman premier card holders in the UAE are covered for Lasik.

Research well

Before your procedure, try to mentally prepare yourself by reading up on the subject and knowing what you are getting into. Watch videos from Andy Pulzar's Thai Lasik blog on YouTube, a series of video blogs on Pulzar's Lasik experiences.

The Final Decision

Before you decide, weigh potential risks with the likely benefits of a more confident and hassle-free life sans prescription glasses and contact lenses. I made my decision a couple of months ago and I don't regret it one bit.