Differences between LASIK and PRK

PRK was the predecessor to LASIK. Just like LASIK, it is also a form of laser eye surgery for correcting refraction errors that is vision problems. PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy and is used to treat all the known conditions which LASIK patients also seek treatment that is short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.

In common with LASIK surgery, PRK treats the patient by adjusting the cornea tissue with the help of a laser so that light can enter the eye without obstruction and can help in clear vision. Many patients these days get treated using LASIK. This is because though they are both laser surgeries, LASIK is preferred more to some of the eye problems which patients have.

In this essay we examine the differences that exist between LASIK and PRK. This is to educate the patients who might otherwise be confused due to the similarities of these treatments, which aim to solve the same eye issues.

PRK surgery is mostly similar to LASIK treatment, in terms of outcomes. However, the recovery period takes longer in PRK. This is because PRK the entire outer layer of the cornea is removed before the laser is operated on the cornea. This causes the healing of the eye to take a longer time.  However, in LASIK the cornea layer is not exposed. Thus, causing recovery period to be as less than 3 months. This is the period during which the vision starts to show improvement.

Another major post-operative difference is that LASIK in Dubai patients experience less side effects such as pain compared to PRK patients. Issues such as infection of the eye are also very much less in LASIK compared to PRK. Generally, the stable post-operative period contributed by undergoing the LASIK treatment leads to a faster vision stabilization compared to those who have undergone PRK. In fact, PRK post-operative stableness can only be reached after several weeks.

However, PRK does enjoy certain advantages over LASIK surgery, which make it preferable to certain patients. One particular benefit is that PRK does not need a corneal flap. Therefore, the thickness of the stroma is preserved for treatment. This will cause problems for LASIK, if the cornea is too thin. Thus, in this particular case, the risk of complications for PRK compared to LASIK is deemed to be much less.

The above highlights some of the differences between PRK and LASIK eye surgery. Although, PRK is still used for certain patients who exhibit those conditions, LASIK is the more common option. LASIK’s success is demonstrated by the millions of patients who have been treated through this method in the past two decades.

About Us

Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center, is a premier eye care provider in Dubai. We deliver the modern techniques that can transform people’s lives. In addition to LASIK treatment in Dubai, we provide a range of treatments from diabetic eye conditions to corneal ulcers. The center also provides cutting edge care to Cataract and Keratoconus patients.

Possible Complications of LASIK Surgery

LASIK treatment is one of the most common eye surgeries conducted in the world. Its successful testament lies to the fact that millions of people have been operated on, with an overwhelming resounding success. Repeated surveys have shown that satisfaction levels of the patients have been above 95%. This is for the past two decades the operation has been in existence.

However, like any surgery it is not without its own risks. It is important to discuss them beforehand, so that complete confidence is maintained between the patient and the doctor.

We aim to list the complications that could result with LASIK surgery, for the benefit of the patient.

Firstly, after the LASIK procedure a patient might be beset with imbalances with vision. Meaning disturbances that patient can experience. Conditions such as dry eye, haziness, mild irritation can be experienced soon after surgery. In the overwhelmingly number of cases, these issues get resolved by themselves after a certain period of time. This is usually within the post-operative period of three or more months.

Another complication that could happen, is that the LASIK surgery might have been unable to correct the refraction problems which the patient experienced. One reason for this could be that the cornea did not respond to the laser surgery. Further laser treatment might be required depending on the condition of the cornea. This problem could be avoided if the consulting eye surgeon has the experience and the knowledge to make the proper diagnosis of the patient.

Then there is the issue of flap. Certain complications can result from it. The flap is created during the LASIK surgery. If it is not created properly it might result in distorted vision and other optical issues. According to medical, flap complications happen in a minute number of patients. According to American Journal of Ophthalmology, this is less than 0.5%, however all these complications were successfully derailed within the same surgical session. This shows the importance of the eye surgeons in the process of LASIK treatment.

The above complications can most of the times be successfully combated if the surgery is conducted by a skilled surgeon who has the necessary experience and knowledge. LASIK treatment is known to be a complicated procedure and should only be conducted by professionals who are trained for it. Ideally, it should be a cornea surgeon who handles the surgery.

About Us

Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center, is a premier eye care provider in Dubai. We deliver the modern techniques that can transform people’s lives. In addition to LASIK treatment in Dubai, there are range of treatments from diabetic eye conditions to corneal ulcers. The centre also provides cutting edge care to Cataract and Keratoconus patients. Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center, was founded by one of the most foremost eye surgeons in the Middle East, Dr Hani Sakla. Furthermore, the team of doctors at Ebsaar have been at the forefront of eye care innovation throughout the world, making sure that for LASIK in Dubai, there can be no better choice.

                     

Changing Your Life is Possible

Among all the medical miracles which are found in the world today, few come as close as LASIK. From the early 1990’s onward, when it was first introduced in the United States, it has impacted millions of people all around the world.

LASIK treatment is a form of laser surgery that treats many eye conditions such as short sightedness, long sightedness and blurring. It gives the option to the person who wears eye glasses to have no need to wear them. This by itself can be countered as a great transformation. Furthermore, by just looking at the satisfaction surveys, we can see that more than 90 % of the patients who have undergone this surgery are satisfied. This statistic is no mean achievement, it is a stunning testament to the greatness of this discovery,

There are several points as to why this invention is an incredible breakthrough. In the following essay we discuss some of them.

Firstly, the procedure itself takes only a few minutes to complete. Laser is used by the surgeon to adjust the tissues in the cornea. This exercise takes only around 10-15 minutes to complete. Furthermore, the patient can leave for home after the surgery. It is a completely hassle free treatment with the patient not even requiring general anesthetic.

Secondly, as mentioned above, glasses and contacts can be completely disowned. Patients who undergo the LASIK treatment do not need to wear glasses. In fact, millions have opted for this treatment for this precise reason. For those on whom glasses don’t look good, LASIK can lead to increased confidence. Ultimately, leading to more productive lives.

Thirdly, the treatment is being constantly innovated. Newer forms of LASIK are being introduced which have less invasive techniques. The ability of this treatment to constantly innovate, shows what a dynamic area of discovery this area is.

Fourthly, its impact is long term. LASIK results, post-surgery period are expected to be long lasting and usually there is no need for follow up action.

Fifthly and most importantly, LASIK has shown dramatic improvement in eye vision. Most patients who have had the surgery have achieved 20/20 vision. Some have even had eagle vision. After about three months of post operation, patients can start enjoying the superior vision.

All of the above reasons makes it clear that LASIK is a life changing treatment. People who need it, should get it done. For LASIK in Dubai, you can use our services.

About Us

Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center, is a premier eye care provider in Dubai. We deliver the modern techniques that can transform people’s lives. In addition to LASIK treatment in Dubai we provide a range of treatments from diabetic eye conditions to corneal ulcers. The center also provides cutting edge care to Cataract and Keratoconus patients.

                

How Lasik Surgery Came to Be

Lasik treatment in dubai needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular forms of treatment for eye afflictions and is increasing in demand by the day. Commonly known as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, the surgery performed to correct refractive errors of the eye is one of the safest, least time consuming surgeries today with a success rate of over 95 per cent. Its popularity is also due to its permanent nature and eliminating the need to use corrective eyewear such as glasses or contact lenses.

But how did this form of surgery come about? Here, we go back to the past to learn something about the history of lasik (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis).

Roots of lasik

The roots of Lasik go quite deep, much deeper than we may have thought, to the 1960s when an enterprising doctor in Colombia developed a technique known as keratomileusis to correct vision-related problems. The procedure involves a bit of corneal tissue being removed from the eye, reshaped to correct the error and replaced on to the eye. Modern Lasik surgery follows this basic technique where an ophthalmologist uses a laser or microkeratome to carry out the surgical procedure.

The discovery of the excimer laser in the late seventies/eighties was what speeded up the advancement of Lasik y leaps and bounds. The excimer laser left no scarring in animal tissue after incisions during the initial phase of testing and became a major leap forward in the surgical treatment of humans. It was capable of making clean cuts without causing any thermal damage to the surrounding tissue. The excimer laser and keratomileusis came together at this point to become Laser In Situ Keratomileusis or Lasik as it's commonly referred to today.

Modern surgery

The modern form of Lasik surgery, however, is very much more comfortable compared to these earlier versions and has less complications and faster recovery. The goal of Lasik refractive surgery is to avoid the cornea becoming permanently weak due to incisions and to deliver less energy to the tissues which surround the area.

Lasik surgery was formally introduced in the early nineties and became extremely popular in the early part of the new millennium. It received the formal approval of the US Food and Drug Administration in 1999, bringing with it global acceptance and recognition. Over 28 million surgeries had been performed worldwide up to year 2009. There are several patents which have been issued for various techniques related to laser eye surgery.

Many developments

From the early nineties, many developments in the area of Lasik surgery had taken place; some of the most notable including lasers which are faster, spot areas which are much bigger, flap incisions which don't require blades, intraoperative corneal pachymetry technology and wavefront-optimised and wavefront-guided techniques. Each of these advances have contributed to making the procedure simpler and safer. Modern microkeratomes even enable eye surgeons to custom-design flaps for each individual eye using different head and ring sizes, and different hinge positions.

For more information on lasik in dubai, contact Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center at Villa 32 A, Jumeirah , Jumeirah Beach Road (behind The Village Mall). This is the place to go to if you are considering the treatment in Dubai. It has a very high success rate, a safety record which is envied by others in the industry and a large number of satisfied clients who swear by the clinic. So, go ahead and book that appointment. We can guarantee that you won't be disappointed!

Treating Glaucoma in Dubai

Glaucoma... This is a word which can strike terror in the hearts of most people. Why is it so? Glaucoma can strike quite quickly without any warning. It can make a person lose sight completely over a short period of time, and though it could be controlled with proper care, it cannot be completely cured.

The danger associated with glaucoma is that sometimes, there is no warning. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all and might think their eyes and vision are perfectly normal. Some people may find their vision in one eye deteriorating. They may experience tunnel vision or the loss of peripheral vision which may prevent them from seeing what is in the sides while they continue to see well what is on the centre of their line of vision.

Glaucoma - the causes

How does glaucoma happen? It would be helpful to know the reasons, to minimise one's chances of getting it. There is a layer of cells behind the eye's iris which produce a fluid. If this fluid cannot be properly drained away or if there is too much fluid produced, it would cause the eye pressure to rise. This rising pressure starts creating strain on the optic nerve, which may see damage in the process.

Acute glaucoma can be very painful and quick, with the liquid in the eyes becoming completely blocked. Nausea and vomiting may also occur at these stages. If left untreated, the optic nerve could suffer permanent damage.

Glaucoma is of four main types. The most common is chronic glaucoma; secondary glaucoma occurs when another eye condition causes eye pressure to rise. Developmental or congenital glaucoma is another form which is relatively rare and may affect babies as a result of malformation in the eye.

Tackling glaucoma in the early stages

Glaucoma may be difficult to treat in the latter stages; the reason regular eye tests and visits to one's eye doctor are necessary. This is especially so as one gets older and also if one is suffering from conditions such as diabetes and/or hypertension.

Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center utilises technologies such as OCT Cirrus to detect glaucoma in the early stages. Treatment could be in the form of eye drops, tablets, laser treatment or surgery and are carried out to reduce the pressure in the eyes. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty is a clinically proven method which treats glaucoma by safely and effectively reducing intraocular pressure during a single, one-day  procedure.

Eye drops may be prescribed for chronic glaucoma to reduce the amount of fluid in the eye and improve drainage.  However, acute glaucoma may call for immediate treatment in a hospital with drugs administered to reduce the pain and pressure while laser treatment or minor surgery may also be needed.

Accolades for Ebsaar

If you feel that you have the symptoms of glaucoma, or any discomfort and unusual signs in your eyes or vision for that matter, the best course of action is to book an appointment with one of the doctors at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center. The clinic is conveniently located at Jumeirah Beach Road, and the top eye surgeons there will make the maximum effort to restore your vision.

Their hard work and dedication as well as the latest treatment methods and technologies at the clinic have earned Ebsaar a reputation as one of the top eye clinics conducting glaucoma and lasik surgery dubai. Their hard-earned and well-deserved name for lasik dubai is an accolade that the clinic much appreciates and values as it comes right from the hearts of their patients.

Meet One of the Top Eye Surgeons in Dubai

For anyone considering eye treatment in the United Arab Emirates,  Dr. Hani Sakla would be no stranger. He is the Head of the Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center in Dubai and is renowned across the UAE and the Middle East as a top eye surgeon in dubai.

Dr. Sakla's association with ophthalmology runs three generations back. His father, Dr. Fouad and grandfather, Dr. Ragheb were also involved in it, all three of them having graduated from the oldest medical school in the Middle East,  Kasr Al Ainy School of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. Thus, it can even be said that medicine and ophthalmology run in Dr. Sakla's blood.

Academic progression

The Spanish Dr. Sakla was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1963. Having graduated with top honours from Kasr Al Ainy School of Medicine in 1986, he completed his training in ophthalmology at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) in Giza, Egypt.  He marked another important milestone in his academic progression by obtaining his Masters Degree in Ophthalmology in 1991, the same year he was appointed as an assistant lecturer at RIO.

A government scholarship from Spain was bestowed on him in 1994 to follow the Doctorate Degree in Ophthalmology and in 1997, he obtained the degree from the University of Miguel Hernandez in Alicante with the highest note of Apto Cum Laude.

Dr. Sakla worked with the pioneer group in Spain that developed the Lasik procedure in Spain and globally as well under the supervision of Prof. Jorge Alio and Dr. Perez-Santonja at the Alicante Institute of Ophthalmology; he also contributed to the first book published in the world about Lasik in 1997.

Contribution to publications

Among the acclaimed publications to which he has contributed are Journal of Ophthalmology of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and Journal of Refractive Surgery of the International Society of Refractive Surgery.

His specialties include cataract and intraocular implant surgeries, corneal surgeries, keratoplasties, refractive procedures with excimer laser such as Lasik, epilasik, Ultralasik, femtosecond lasik, implant refractive surgeries and phakic lenses ICL, clear refractive lens exchange, glaucoma diseases and medical retina.

Having moved to Dubai to perform as a consultant eye surgeon, Dr. Sakla introduced the phacoemulsification technique and sutureless cataract surgeries in the region. He was elected Chairman of the Scientific Committee in the Emirates Medical Association in 2001, which position he holds to date. Today, he is one  of the top surgeons offering Lasik treatment in dubai.

Promoting new technologies

A very enthusiastic promoter of new technologies, Dr. Sakla was the first to implant the Restor Multifocal lenses in 2003 outside the US and Europe; he was part of the international study group to evaluate the lens. He was the first to implant the Toric Acrysof lens in the Gulf region during live surgery at the EOC 2008 in Dubai and was also the first to use the Toric implantable contact lenses to correct visual problems among those suffering from keratoconus in the UAE.

Among the other firsts he has under his belt are intravitreal injections of lucentis to treat diabetic macular edema in 2006, photodynamic therapy to treat age related macular degenerations in 2000 and Zeimer LDV Femtosecond laser to perform ZLASIK safely in 2009.