Laser Eye Surgery - Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

It is very important for you to qualify for the surgery. This means that your surgeon should thoroughly examine the condition of your eyes and should check the type of correction you need. Once the examination has been performed, your surgeon will decide upon the type of laser treatment which suits you best. It is ideal to get the diagnosis complete because this will help your doctor to check the size of your cornea and to decide the way the procedure will be carried out. It is also advisable to not to wear any creams, lotions, makeup and deodorants etc. as this can increase the risk of infection and can hamper the way laser needs to work.

To perform the treatment efficiently by an experienced surgeon. You will be taken to the surgery room where you will lie down on a recliner chair. The laser system consists of a microscope that is attached to a large machine and a computer screen. Your eyes will be treated with numbing solution and will be cleansed thoroughly. After the eyes have been cleaned and numbed, your doctor will put lid speculum to prevent the eyelids from closing. Now is the time to create a corneal flap; to carry out this procedure your doctor will switch on the suction in a device attached to your eyes. This might feel uncomfortable and might result in darker or blurred vision. Now your doctor will use microkeratome to cut the corneal flap. Once the flap has been cut the suction will be turned off. Now your doctor will flip the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue. After the tissue has been exposed your doctor will ask you to stare at some light beam whose color might vary depending upon the type of laser being used. This is just to keep the eyes steady, now the doctor will use the laser beam to either remove, or reshape the corneal tissue as per your need. You might feel some unpleasant smell during this part, as this is the smell of moisture getting evaporated from corneal tissue or because of burning of corneal tissue. After the work of resurfacing of cornea is complete your doctor will put the corneal flap again and your eye will be closed with some dressing on it. This is just to secure the corneal flap back in place. 

There is no major threat involved in getting the procedure done. You might experience some pain, itching or irritation in your eyes. It is very important for you to not itch or rub your eyes in any condition, as this can change the position of corneal flap and requires another corrective procedure. An ibuprofen is usually given to relive the pain.