Apparently, more and more Filipinos are getting fed up with reaching for their eyeglasses or contact lenses to obtain clearer vision. Nowadays, they prefer LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery over external vision-correcting devices.

How LASIK Surgery Works
The core of LASIK, also referred to as laser eye surgery, lies in the reshaping of the cornea. Most vision problems take place when the eye is unable to focus images directly onto the retina. Hence, images come out either blurry or distorted.

LASIK surgery is often used to address these four vision problems:
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Presbyopia
Astigmatism

The cornea is reshaped depending on the vision problem, but ultimately, the goal is to reform the retina into a shape that closely resembles that of the normal eye.

LASIK Surgery and Technology
In the Philippines, LASIK technology is on a par with their foreign counterparts. Up-to-date LASIK machines have been brought to the country, making it easier for clients to avail of top-notch LASIK surgery without having to go abroad.

The following kinds of LASIK treatments are present in the Philippines:
Z LASIK

The Z LASIK precedes the other LASIK treatments in the country. It is recommended for individuals with myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

Ultra LASIK
Ultra LASIK is brought about by combining SCHWIND AMARIS 750S and FEMTO LDV Ziemer 6 technologies. This method is recommended for individuals with astigmatism.

Z Prime LASIK
Z Prime LASIK, like the Ultra LASIK, is a product of combination. This is formed by the fusion Wavelight Allegretto Laser and Femto LDV Z6, and has the ability to produce a tailored corneal flap.

PresbyLASIK
PresbyLASIK is ideal for the treatment of aging-related eye issues, such as presbyopia.

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking
Corneal collagen cross-linking, when used with LASIK, is an effective treatment for corneas that are progressively thinning, a condition that is medically known as keratoconus.

Side Effects of LASIK Surgery
It was only in 1989 when the first laser eye surgery was performed on humans. Since then, several claims have arisen regarding the safety and success of LASIK surgery.
Medical professionals report the following as the most common:
Dry eyes
Difficulty driving at night
Glare
Fluctuating vision
Seeing halos around images

In an article by CBS News, Dr. Mark Fromer, who works as an ophthalmologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, which can be found at New York City, states, “There is no such thing as perfect surgery.” It’s more important to find the “right patient.”
Dr. Fromer adds, ““It has to be for the patient who is willing to accept any of the possible side effects that sometimes can occur with LASIK, such as dry eye or eye glare or double image.”

While the procedure carries with it certain risks, health-care professionals as a whole agree that LASIK surgery is safe, provided proper screening and aftercare have been performed.

LASIK Surgery in the Philippines
A study released by the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology reveals “patients who underwent screening for refractive surgery were young, mostly female, with myopic refractive errors.” Therefore, in the Philippines, “LASIK remained the most popular refractive surgery procedure.”