Refractive Laser Surgery

Refractive laser surgery is known as the laser method applied widely throughout the world for the treatment of high-degree refractive errors such as astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia. For patients who are not suitable for laser surgery, personalised intraocular lens replacement operations can free the patient from wearing glasses. To briefly explain the refractive errors we call myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia: light coming from the outside passes through the refracting surfaces of the eye, the transparent outer layer (cornea) and the lens, and is focused on the retina, the point responsible for vision. When this light is focused at a different point, it is called a refractive error. In addition, the reduction in near vision seen in patients over 40, caused by the decrease in the eye’s ability to focus at near distance, is called presbyopia. Refractive laser surgery covers the treatments and methods applied to correct the refractive errors of the eye (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) for people who have worn glasses for many years, in order to minimise or completely eliminate the need for lenses. Refractive surgery methods have been applied very widely around the world in the last 15 to 20 years to treat and correct errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

To receive refractive laser treatment, a person must be over 20 years of age, have myopia of up to 10 dioptres and hyperopia or astigmatism of up to 5 dioptres, have no diabetes or rheumatic disease, have had a stable prescription for the last year, have no other eye condition, and show no structural problem in the eye in the preliminary examination and tests. Laser treatment cannot be applied to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, keratoconus patients, people with diabetes, those who have previously had an eye disease, and people with conditions such as glaucoma or cataract. Whether a patient’s eyes are suitable for refractive laser is decided by the doctor after the tests and a full eye examination. In the first examination, detailed tests and preparation stages are carried out so that the most suitable and safest treatment method can be applied to the eye. This examination must, of course, be performed with highly advanced devices. The more detailed and thorough the examination and the more advanced the technology used, the safer and better the results. Patients think carefully and do extensive research before undergoing this treatment. Laser treatment is not a technology of uncertain reliability; on the contrary, it is FDA approved and well established. This confidence is based on the fact that the treatment has been performed since the 1980s. In addition, laser surgery does not prevent the treatment of any eye condition that may arise in the future. What makes laser treatment attractive to patients is that it does not carry a risk of blindness.