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Medical Channel Asia Latest Questions

Grayson Lim

Correcting my eyesight

Hi, I have been wearing glasses my whole life n I want to do laser correction. Some of my friends who did lasik say that it went well but one of my friend experienced v dry eyes even until now (1 yr after the procedure?) so my qn #1 is, is this normal?

qn #2, I also hear abt other treatments like icl, smile, prk…what’s the difference?

I have abt 750 deg on left eye and 800 on the right side. i know got astig but idk the details. help! thanks

Best Answer

  1. This answer was edited.

    Hello! I’m Dr Petrina, Senior Consultant Opthalmologist at Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery. I specialise in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery.
    Refractive surgery can be broadly catergorised into two ways: 1) Laser procedures that flatten the cornea, and 2) Implantable contact lens (nothing to do with the cornea). Here is an overview of LASIK procedures & implantable contact lens.
    For laser procedures that work on the cornea, these include PRK / EPILASIK, FEMTOLASIK, SMILE. Because these procedures work on the cornea, dry eyes is a by-product and side effect. Some patients do better after the first month but some patients may need constant lubricant eyedrops even after some time. Prior to refractive surgery like LASIK, we will screen our patients for dry eyes.

    • PRK or EPILASIK removes the outer surface of the cornea with either a blade or alchohol. An excimer laser is then applied to flatten the cornea. The outer surface of the cornea then heals in 1 week.
    • FEMTOLASIK is whereby a femtosecond laser creates a flap, thereafter the excimer laser is applied to flatten the cornea. The flap is then respoitioned.
    • SMILE is whereby a femtosecond laser makes a small wound at the side of the cornea, the laser also fashions a pocket of tissue such that the surgeon can remove that pocket of cornea tissue to bring about a “flattening” of the cornea.

    On the other hand, implantable contact lens (ICL) procedure has no lasering of the cornea and thus no problems with dry eyes. It is highly recommended for patients with high degrees of shortsightedness (like yourself) as we preserve as much cornea as we can.
    If you have any concerns about your options for shortsightedness, feel free to reach out for more information. Happy to help answer any more questions!
    Dr Petrina Tan
    Senior Consultant Opthalmologist
    Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery, Eagle Eye Centre
    Instagram: @drpetrina_eyedoc

    The information provided on this forum is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical concerns, diagnosis or treatment.

2 Her Answers

  1. There are other laser vision correction procedures besides LASIK. Here’s a brief comparison:

    • PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Like LASIK, PRK uses a laser to reshape the cornea. However, with PRK, there is no creation of a corneal flap. The surface layer of the cornea is removed with a laser, and then the cornea reshapes itself naturally. Recovery from PRK is generally slower and more uncomfortable than LASIK.

    • SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): SMILE is a newer laser vision correction procedure that is similar to LASIK in terms of recovery time and potential side effects. However, SMILE creates a much smaller incision than LASIK.

    • ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens): ICL is not a laser procedure. Instead, a biocompatible lens is implanted inside the eye to correct vision. ICL is a good option for people with high prescriptions or thin corneas who are not suitable candidates for LASIK or PRK.

  2. This answer was edited.

    Hello! I’m Dr Petrina, Senior Consultant Opthalmologist at Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery. I specialise in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery.
    Refractive surgery can be broadly catergorised into two ways: 1) Laser procedures that flatten the cornea, and 2) Implantable contact lens (nothing to do with the cornea). Here is an overview of LASIK procedures & implantable contact lens.
    For laser procedures that work on the cornea, these include PRK / EPILASIK, FEMTOLASIK, SMILE. Because these procedures work on the cornea, dry eyes is a by-product and side effect. Some patients do better after the first month but some patients may need constant lubricant eyedrops even after some time. Prior to refractive surgery like LASIK, we will screen our patients for dry eyes.

    • PRK or EPILASIK removes the outer surface of the cornea with either a blade or alchohol. An excimer laser is then applied to flatten the cornea. The outer surface of the cornea then heals in 1 week.
    • FEMTOLASIK is whereby a femtosecond laser creates a flap, thereafter the excimer laser is applied to flatten the cornea. The flap is then respoitioned.
    • SMILE is whereby a femtosecond laser makes a small wound at the side of the cornea, the laser also fashions a pocket of tissue such that the surgeon can remove that pocket of cornea tissue to bring about a “flattening” of the cornea.

    On the other hand, implantable contact lens (ICL) procedure has no lasering of the cornea and thus no problems with dry eyes. It is highly recommended for patients with high degrees of shortsightedness (like yourself) as we preserve as much cornea as we can.
    If you have any concerns about your options for shortsightedness, feel free to reach out for more information. Happy to help answer any more questions!
    Dr Petrina Tan
    Senior Consultant Opthalmologist
    Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery, Eagle Eye Centre
    Instagram: @drpetrina_eyedoc

    The information provided on this forum is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical concerns, diagnosis or treatment.

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