What you need to know about recent advances

In Laser Vision Correction [ LASIK] and why?

Imagine waking up and seeing clearly without having to reach for your glasses or contact lenses. Laser Assisted Stromal In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is making this dream a reality for millions of people worldwide. LASIK is a method of re-shaping the external surface of the eye [the cornea] to correct low, moderate and high degrees of nearsightedness, astigmatism and far-sightedness.

Some of the common reasons why people undergo LASIK are because of contact lens intolerance, cosmetic reasons, social (marriage), tired of wearing glasses, and lifestyle activities that are inhibited due to glasses or lens wear such as outdoor sports like golf, football, water sports or hiking. Spectacles are cosmetically unappealing for some. There is a degree of distortion when looking through the periphery of the glasses, the field of vision is reduced and on leaving a cold room moisture can fog the glasses and blur vision for a few minutes. Hence glasses are unacceptable for certain careers such as the Army, Merchant Navy, Airlines, Air Force, Railways and professional sports.  In respect to this, one of the pre requisites for such careers is good eyesight of 6/6. Contact lenses require repeated motivation with fastidious attention to hygiene during insertion and removal failing which sight-threatening infections may result.  LASIK overcomes all these disadvantages hence; many consider this permanent method of correction of vision. It is therefore most important for our youth to understand where the safety and accuracy of these methods lie. Most youth go into the cost of LASIK, without understanding the details of technology and its advances especially in this field. Not all LASIK centres will be the same in this aspect primarily because not all have updated technology. This is one field where the doctor is not working on the eyes with his hands alone it is through technology! So, it is of utmost importance that one learns more on this procedure and the advances that it has made till date in order to make the correct informed decision.

LASIK is SAFE when performed on a suitable candidate with most of the new generation Excimer lasers. LASIK has been practiced in our country for the last 6 to 7 years and was started in Mumbai in 1995. 

The latest advancement in the LASIK procedure is wavefront-guided or custom LASIK. Wavefront-guided LASIK compatible lasers use high-speed sensitive eye trackers to ensure perfectly accurate and well-centred treatments. Wavefront procedures very often leave patients with eyesight better than normal.  These procedures have been developed not only to enhance visual acuity but also to improve on contrast sensitivity especially in dim light conditions. Wavefront-ready lasers are also far more refined in their laser beam profiles and eye-tracking capabilities.

Patient expectations have increased over the years and with the new amazingly accurate excimer lasers, so-called 'super vision' is becoming a reality. However, only a thorough examination by a LASIK specialist can evaluate whether or not you are medically suited for LASIK.   

Dr Anand Shroff, who has been a pioneer in Wavefront technology in India, says, ? With Wavefront guided LASIK it has now become possible to treat a larger spectrum of patients. This procedure particularly helps to have clear vision in dim light, which would have otherwise been difficult with the older procedures.

It is very important to do a complete eye assessment and certain specialized tests to determine a patient?s suitability for LASIK with sophisticated instruments like the aberrometer, topography etc. The assessment helps the surgeon to understand the patient?s visual requirements and to develop a customized treatment plan. With this technology of the WaveLight Allegretto Eye Q 400 Hz, the newest generation Excimer laser, we can now offer the highest degree of accuracy and utmost safety.