Poor vision has been one of the most common ailments since records began. For centuries, the only way to improve this was through the use of corrective lenses. There is hieroglyphic evidence that the notion of using corrective lenses to improve eyesight has been in existence since Ancient Egyptian times, but spectacles as we know them are attributed as the invention of Salvino D'Amarte in 1284. Contact lenses were developed in the 1800s, while laser eye treatment has been in use since the 1970s and has benefited from advances in technology.

Focussing on the Future

Many people are unsure as to what laser eye treatment involves. In short, it is the removal of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea and improve its focussing power. This is done through the use of a special laser. While there are different forms of laser eye treatment available – such as LASIK and LASEK – to correct a variety of vision problems, the principles involved are much the same.

Consultation with your doctor or GP is the first step towards determining whether you are eligible for laser eye treatment. A doctor will be able to tell you whether you have any underlying health problems that might prevent the process taking place, or whether your visual problems are treatable through this procedure. As a rule only about 20% of patients are unsuitable for laser eye treatment. Once your suitability is confirmed then your next move will be to approach a laser eye treatment clinic. Here you will have an initial consultation with an eye specialist who will scan your eyes to create a virtual ‘map' of your cornea. This will be used to determine, again, whether laser eye treatment will be beneficial and if so, which procedure will offer the best results.

The Procedure

For the procedure itself, anaesthetic drops are placed into the eye to completely numb the area. A speculum is used to keep the eye open and a small incision is made into the cornea, cutting a flap that is about a quarter of its depth. The laser is then directed into this incision, vaporising a minute portion of the corneal tissue. Once the laser eye treatment is over the corneal flap is replaced, where it will heal and allow the cornea to reshape itself. The healing process usually only takes a few days, during which time the patient's vision should become perfectly restored and clear.

Laser eye treatment is an extremely safe and reliable form of corrective surgery but, as with any form of medical treatment, there are risks. These tend to be under or over-correction, whereby too much or too little of the corneal tissue is removed, which can result in further vision impairments or achieving a level of sight that, while it is not perfect, is better than it was pre-treatment. However, incidences of these are extremely rare.

Consultation with your doctor or GP can help you to understand the risks involved and whether your particular condition will increase or diminish the likelihood of these risks taking place. Each patient is different, so the pros and cons must be assessed on an individual level.