India has been one among the countries in the core of medical tourism. Medical treatment in India has since been evolving constantly. One of the earlier developments was that of eye care and treatments in the ophthalmological scenario. The direction of advancements in medicine have been towards non-invasive procedures that can reduce the extent of interference with surgical tools and therefore the cost. It is also impactful on the recovery process as there are minimal or no scars. Though the aforementioned progress has happened for common eye problems as a whole, commendable growth is seen in corrective surgeries rather than eye infection treatments.
One notable achievement in this regard is LASIK and other laser-based eye surgeries. The first excimer eye treatment was carried out in 1987. It brought in faster healing time and less painful experience. It has evolved over the years to various laser-assisted eye surgeries.
LASIK stands for LAser in SItu Keratomileusiosis. It is performed to treat farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. It is a refractive surgery where the cornea is reshaped to enable better focusing of the light. It is a painless procedure that can be performed over a short period of time. Further, LASIK surgery provides a permanent remedy for vision correction. However, if there are changes in the lens inside the eye, a need for vision correction could arise. ‘LASIK’ has become a general term to denote all laser-based eye surgeries.
LASIK can be availed by individuals with refractive errors. Unusual vision problems cannot be cured by LASIK. Recipient of the vision correction intervention will be tested for the suitability of the procedure. If LASIK is not a suitable option, there are other corrective surgeries like Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (LASEK), etc.
Though this intervention has been around for some time, other laser eye surgeries that are non-invasive, have been developed.
A recent innovation on the block is the ReLEx SMILE surgery. A minimally invasive and bladeless keyhole laser eye procedure, ReLEx SMILE was introduced in 2012. Since then it has been a popular alternative to both LASEK and LASIK treatments. SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. It helps in correcting higher degrees of short sightedness as well as astigmatism. This method is suitable for people who cannot undergo the traditional methods of surgery.
There are many experts in the area of laser-based eye treatment. Clients who want to approach such a procedure should consult appropriately, before zeroing in on the right treatment. It is to be kept in mind that, these procedures do not warrant for the use of anesthetics. While the latest developments have made the treatment minimally invasive, it is better to be well-informed on the process. This ensures that the recipient is not taken aback during the procedure.
The best way to approach a laser eye surgery is to get extensive details. Second opinions, reviews of recipients, the experiences of friends or family all can go a long way in helping on decide. An easy way out to collect information is seeking the help of a medical tourism organisation. They can support with valid information on cost and other expenses, the right hospitals and doctors and other information. India is one of the countries in the forefront, when it comes to medical interventions. The latest advancements in laser eye treatment is no exception. Get the right information before you take the big leap towards better vision.
