The advancement of laser technology has been unprecedented in our time, finding its way into applications from liposuction to acne removal to even optical surgery. In the past few decades, lasers have gained recognition and acceptance in the medical community.

Through research and technological innovation, scientists have discovered a specialized wavelength of light that will literally vaporize fractional layers of human cells, leaving behind an incredibly smooth and undamaged tissue of cells. The precise technology enables an accurate, surgeon-controlled cornea surgery under the direction of computers using this controlled laser beam. The cold waves utilized ensure that the surrounding tissue remains safe and unaffected, while the laser meanwhile vaporizes the needed tissue by breaking molecular bonds at the tissue surface.

Unprecedented Precision

This creates an unmatched ability to precisely remove tissue without affecting other areas of the eye. This is particularly helpful in eye surgery where precision can be such an overwhelming issue. The delicacy of eye surgery requires an absolute precision that can only be achieved through the use of lasers.

Advantages and benefits of cold laser surgery

There are several advantages for using cold lasers in optical surgery. For the sake of the patient’s comfort, cold laser eye surgery has the advantage of being less painful and features quicker recovery times. There is relatively little pain, as most patients feel only a slight tingling. Many patients experience better vision as soon as the next day.

Step by step procedure

A laser is used to create a thin flap in the cornea. The surgeon holds the flap out of the way while removing some corneal tissue with a second laser. The laser then uses a cool, ultraviolet light beam to remove tiny bits of tissue from the cornea in order to reshape it, realigning the cornea to improve vision.

The reshaped cornea can then better reflect light onto the retina for a clearer vision. The flap is later placed back in place, with the cornea reshaped for precise vision that doesn’t require glasses.

Who can benefit?

Both nearsighted and far sighted people can benefit from cold laser eye surgery. With near sighted people, medical lasers can flatten a too-steep cornea. Far sighted people can be given a steeper cornea. Cold laser surgery is also helpful in correcting astigmatism by smoothing the irregular cornea into a more functional shape.

Consult a doctor

If you are considering laser eye surgery, it’s important to choose a quality surgeon. Talk with friends and families who have had the procedure done and see they might recommend. Discuss with the surgeon what possible surgical procedures might improve your eyesight. Have your eyes examined to see what type of laser surgery you’ll need and what results hold promising.

Your doctor should check your eyes for dry eye disease, which must be cleared up before laser surgery can be performed.

A corneal topographer will be used to create a map of your cornea, photographing your eye for precise definition.

Your doctor should also discuss what medications you are on and if you have any health problems. Some health problems may prevent laser surgery, or you may have to postpone the surgery until a later date.

All it takes is a few minutes

The actual surgery doesn’t take long. You walk into the surgical room and walk out the same day. In fact, the entire procedure should take no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll be awake the whole time. You may take a mild oral sedative before hand to lessen nervousness and any brief tingling of pain.

Though it is fast, laser surgery is a delicate procedure that requires precise hands and operational techniques. There’s no pain, as your eyes are anesthetized with medicinal eye drops.

Though the procedure is relatively painless and takes only a few minutes, you will need someone to drive you home as vision can be blurry afterwards. Recovery time is fast, however, as you should see a remarkable vision improvement in the first 24 hours.