What do I need to know before getting laser eye surgery?

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What do I need to know before getting laser eye surgery?
Thanks for asking. Short sightedness or myopia affects long distance vision, preventing people from seeing objects over a few yards away. You may remember we covered the subject on Do you really know a while back, and that it has been labelled an epidemic due to ever increasing prevalence worldwide. It's estimated that a third of all people suffer from myopia, and the World Health Organisation has suggested that half of all human beings will be short sighted by 2050, with excessive screen use and a lack of time spent outdoors largely to blame. If you simply can't stand the idea of wearing contacts or glasses, laser surgery is another option. It's been popular since the turn of the century, and according to Optegra, over 15,000 Brits choose to go down that route each year. Can all short-sighted people get laser eye surgery? No, when you go to a clinic, there are certain criteria that must be assessed first, before you can book a surgery appointment. To be eligible, your eye prescription must have been more or less stable for at least two years, which generally happens to people once they pass the age of 25 It's also not advisable to get laser eye surgery during pregnancy or just after, as hormonal fluctuations can have an impact on eyesight. Laser eye surgery works by reshaping the front surface of the eye, which is known as the cornea. How does the laser work? There are a number of different lasers and hence different techniques, which have evolved over the years to become more precise. Your eye doctor will select the best option for you according to your eyes and short sightedness. Regardless of which laser is used, the operation lasts from around 15 to 30 minutes and the laser is only actually applied to the eye for up to 2 minutes. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eyes. Laser eye surgery is an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day and won't have to spend the night in hospital afterwards. PRK is the oldest of the lasers currently used. It's less common these days due to the recovery period that comes with it. Lasik is most common thanks to the quick recovery period. It's painless and allows patients to recover their full eyesight in a matter of hours, or at worst the next day. The most recent technique is called Smile. It can be used to treat astigmatism in addition to short sightedness. Does it work every time? In some rare cases, laser surgery doesn't totally fix a patient's short sightedness. Sometimes a follow up operation may be required. There's also a small risk of infection post surgery. The cornea can also be altered, leading to eyesight worsening, the opposite of the desired effect. Other complications include dry eyes, seeing bright rings and night time swelling. According to witch.co.uk, laser eye surgery costs from around 600 up to 3200 pounds per eye, and prices may vary depending on your eye prescription.
Bear in mind it's not covered by the NHS.
There you have it.
Now you know what you need to know before getting laser eye surgery. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.