Over the last three decades, Laser Eye Surgery has gone through major technological changes. This advancement has lead to the treatment of common vision problems like astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness. Even complex eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that were not treatable using conventional ophthalmic surgery have been remedied. Developments in Laser Eye Surgery have not only provided new treatment options, they have also provided better results in terms of patients’ quality of life through vision preservation and enhancement.
Here is an overview of different Laser Eye Surgery procedure as an addition to modern cataract surgery, and as treatment for age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of the systemic diabetes mellitus. The Background Diabetic Retinopathy (BDR) can occur at any point after the start of diabetes. Early on, this condition does not manifest any visual symptoms but it is characterized by dot and blotch hemorrhages in the retina, micro aneurysms, and leakage from fine blood vessels.
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age Related Macular Degeneration or AMD has two primary classifications. Dry AMD occurs on around 90% of the cases and actually the gentler form of the disorder. Wet AMD, which is the second type, is more sight threatening and fortunately it only accounts for 10% of the cases. The Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration can be treated with different methods of laser eye surgery if diagnosed early on.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease associated with a pressure in the eye resulting damage in the optic nerve. This ultimately leads to vision loss. Glaucoma is usually left untreated until its late stages because patients do not have real symptoms until the disease has significantly progressed.
Most of us may not be well aware that glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerves. The good news is that the disease can be treated by different methods of laser eye surgery.
Cataracts
Cataract removal and lens implant surgery is one of the most common and most successful surgeries being performed today. Cataracts are removed using phacoemulsification. That is, the cataract is broken into small pieces and suctioned through a tiny incision. Once cataracts are removed, they never return. The posterior capsule is left in place to support the intraocular lens implant. In about 20 percent of patients, the membrane may become hazy or cloudy and may cause the vision to be blurred. The cloudiness of the membrane can easily be treated with laser eye surgery and almost always restores or improves vision.
Laser Eye Surgery opens up a world of possibilities for people suffering from diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. Indeed, patients can look forward to better vision with LASIK laser eye surgery.
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