The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted by the National Health Survey in 2017-18 estimates that over 13 million Australians, including Sydneysiders, suffer from one or more chronic or long-term eye conditions. This number includes 7.2 million people with long-sightedness or hyperopia, 6.3 people with short-sightedness or myopia, 1.4 million people with astigmatism and many others with presbyopia, colour blindness, cataract, muscular degeneration, blindness and more. This condition has led thousands of people to seek laser eye surgery in Sydney to fix their visual impairments. Sydney is known for its best ophthalmological clinics providing the best treatment in the entire Asia Pacific region.

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser Eye Surgery, now popularly known as LASIK or Laser in-situ keratomileusis, is one of the most well-known vision correction surgeries. The procedure corrects near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism to allow them to have a clear vision and be free from contact lenses and glasses.

The LASIK surgical procedure has revolutionised refractive and ophthalmic surgeries in the past few decades. It is a relatively straightforward and pain-free procedure with a 98% satisfactory rate, and it allows for quick recovery. It provides precise results and ultimate patient safety without the use of blades. The procedure has advanced over time with innovations, where surgeons can create a visual map of the irregularities in the eye and provide a precise and customised vision correction procedure with the best outcomes.

History of Laser Correction Surgeries

Refractive visual correction or laser eye surgeries have now been widely recognised and scientifically tested by the medical community for a few decades. This technology has its roots in the procedure developed in the 1980s called the Refractive Laser Keratectomy. The surgeons used this procedure to correct the vision using a laser to provide a new shape to the cornea. This procedure was called ‘ablation’, meaning the Excimer laser technology evaporates the corneal substance in the eye. This procedure is still used in some circumstances. LASIK is the most popular second-generation laser eye surgery in Sydney. The process involves cutting the surface of the corneal tissue at a 340-degree angle and using the rest of the 20 degrees as a hinge to lift the flap to perform ablation.

Current and Future Advancements

Visumax Femtosecond Laser Technology

This is the latest generation of laser procedures developed by the Femtosecond laser engineers at Zeiss. It is an alternative to microkeratome surgery, where surgeons can perform Refractive Laser Corrections by removing the appropriate amount of the lenticular tissue from the centre of the cornea without disturbing the ‘eggshell’ in the process. It involves fewer incisions of the corneal nerves and fewer dry eyes. It means that the patient is less susceptible to trauma, with outstanding results.

Customised LASIK Procedure and Ablation

With the increasing number of people opting to undergo laser eye surgery in Sydney, a customised treatment is the most effective and safe way of performing LASIK to cater to the complex needs of the patients without any complications. This treatment uses a device called the Wavefront, which the surgeons use to examine the cornea and determine ways to improve the vision without compromising the structure of the cornea.

Visual Supportive Technology

Surgeons use this upcoming technology to detect forme fruste keratoconus or the irregularities in the cornea. This procedure reduces the risk of post-LASIK ectasia. It used optical coherence tomography, Placido-disc topography and videokeratography to provide a detailed overview of the patient’s suitability to laser eye surgery.