Correcting my eyesight
Best Answer
- This answer was edited.
Hello! I’m Dr Petrina, Senior Consultant Opthalmologist at Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery. I specialise in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery.
Refractive surgery can be broadly catergorised into two ways: 1) Laser procedures that flatten the cornea, and 2) Implantable contact lens (nothing to do with the cornea). Here is an overview of LASIK procedures & implantable contact lens.
For laser procedures that work on the cornea, these include PRK / EPILASIK, FEMTOLASIK, SMILE. Because these procedures work on the cornea, dry eyes is a by-product and side effect. Some patients do better after the first month but some patients may need constant lubricant eyedrops even after some time. Prior to refractive surgery like LASIK, we will screen our patients for dry eyes.- PRK or EPILASIK removes the outer surface of the cornea with either a blade or alchohol. An excimer laser is then applied to flatten the cornea. The outer surface of the cornea then heals in 1 week.
- FEMTOLASIK is whereby a femtosecond laser creates a flap, thereafter the excimer laser is applied to flatten the cornea. The flap is then respoitioned.
- SMILE is whereby a femtosecond laser makes a small wound at the side of the cornea, the laser also fashions a pocket of tissue such that the surgeon can remove that pocket of cornea tissue to bring about a “flattening” of the cornea.
On the other hand, implantable contact lens (ICL) procedure has no lasering of the cornea and thus no problems with dry eyes. It is highly recommended for patients with high degrees of shortsightedness (like yourself) as we preserve as much cornea as we can.
If you have any concerns about your options for shortsightedness, feel free to reach out for more information. Happy to help answer any more questions!
Dr Petrina Tan
Senior Consultant Opthalmologist
Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery, Eagle Eye Centre
Instagram: @drpetrina_eyedocThe information provided on this forum is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical concerns, diagnosis or treatment.
You must login to add an answer.
Hello! I’m Dr Petrina, Senior Consultant Opthalmologist at Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery. I specialise in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery.
Refractive surgery can be broadly catergorised into two ways: 1) Laser procedures that flatten the cornea, and 2) Implantable contact lens (nothing to do with the cornea). Here is an overview of LASIK procedures & implantable contact lens.
For laser procedures that work on the cornea, these include PRK / EPILASIK, FEMTOLASIK, SMILE. Because these procedures work on the cornea, dry eyes is a by-product and side effect. Some patients do better after the first month but some patients may need constant lubricant eyedrops even after some time. Prior to refractive surgery like LASIK, we will screen our patients for dry eyes.
On the other hand, implantable contact lens (ICL) procedure has no lasering of the cornea and thus no problems with dry eyes. It is highly recommended for patients with high degrees of shortsightedness (like yourself) as we preserve as much cornea as we can.
If you have any concerns about your options for shortsightedness, feel free to reach out for more information. Happy to help answer any more questions!
Dr Petrina Tan
Senior Consultant Opthalmologist
Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery, Eagle Eye Centre
Instagram: @drpetrina_eyedoc
The information provided on this forum is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical concerns, diagnosis or treatment.