Laser Eye Treatment

Eyesight problems are among the most frustrating of man’s physical disorders. The need to wear glasses means not only carrying the weight of the glasses on the bridge of one’s nose, but it is also very expensive. The most common visual problem is myopia, which is difficulty seeing distant objects. Luckily, with the aid of laser technology, it is now possible to cure myopia and to dispense with the use of glasses altogether.

The history of the radial keratotomy treatment, or refractive eye surgery, which cures myopia, goes back some fifty years to the USSR. A young boy, who suffered from myopia and had to wear glasses, fell from his bicycle and cut the cornea of his right eye. The doctor who treated him was Dr. Dimitri Fiodorov. Some time later, the patient revisited Dr. Fiodorov, who noticed that the boy could see perfectly well with his right eye. After doing some tests he soon realized that a cut cornea would cure myopia. The result was refractive surgery. Light cuts were made in the cornea of myopic people with a sharp diamond-cutting device. The results were dramatic.

However, it was only with the introduction of the medical laser that it was possible to cure most cases of myopia. The use of lasers has completely revolutionized the technique. Now 95% of those treated obtain a 6/6 standard of vision. Most people, although they don’t know it, suffer from poor vision. They see things less sharply and clearly and this too can be cured by laser treatment. Therefore, not only does laser treatment improve the eyesight and dispense with glasses, but it also improves the quality of vision.

It is no wonder that laser treatment for those with eye deficiencies is mushrooming. In the past two years, more than 9,000,000 have received laser treatment worldwide. In USA, for example the number hovers around 1,000,000  The relatively high percentage here is probably due to the fact that in many ways USA is very advanced in medicine, technology and such laser treatment. However, not all those who wear glasses are eligible for treatment. According to statistics, of those applying for treatment, only 70% can be treated. For the remaining 30%, the shape of the eye or cornea makes treatment impossible.

The laser treatment itself, which is completely computerized, takes from five to seven minutes. The important part of the treatment is the comprehensive pre-tests, which can take up to three hours. Although you might think otherwise, laser treatment is expensive. due primarily to the high price of the equipment involved.  The average price of the treatment is $2,500  for both eyes. In the long run it is actually reasonable since a pair of glasses for those with poor eyesight and high lens numbers can cost as much as $1,000. In addition, glasses need to be changed at least once every eight years. Since laser treatment means a total cure, there is no need to buy any more glasses.