How Does Laser Eye Surgery Improve Vision?

For millions of people around the world, laser eye surgery has provided improved quality of life, offering clear vision and freedom from glasses or contact lenses. But how exactly does it work? To understand how laser eye surgery improves vision, it helps to know a bit about how the eye functions and how refractive errors affect sight.

Understanding Refractive Errors

Normal vision occurs when light enters the eye and is properly focused onto the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) and the lens work together to bend or “refract” light so it lands precisely on the retina. However, for many people, this process doesn’t happen perfectly. The result is a refractive error, which causes blurry vision.

Common refractive errors include:

• Myopia (short-sightedness): Distant objects appear blurry.
  
• Hyperopia (long-sightedness): Nearby objects appear blurry.
  
• Astigmatism: Distorted or blurred vision at all distances.
  
• Presbyopia: Age-related difficulty seeing up close, usually beginning in your 40s.
  
  

How Laser Eye Surgery Works

Laser eye surgery corrects these refractive errors by reshaping the cornea so that light rays focus more accurately on the retina. The most common types of laser eye surgery include:

1. LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)

In LASIK, a thin flap is created in the cornea. A laser is then used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue, improving how light is focused. The flap is then repositioned to heal naturally.

2. PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

PRK involves removing the surface layer of the cornea and reshaping the underlying tissue using only one laser. The surface cells regenerate over time. PRK is ideal for patients with thinner corneas.

3. SMILE® (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

SMILE® is bladeless and completely painless. Using advanced laser technology, a small lens-shaped piece of tissue (called a lenticule) is created within the cornea. This lenticule, which corresponds to your spectacle prescription, is then removed through a tiny 2mm keyhole incision. The procedure takes less than five minutes per eye.

4. TransPRK (Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy)

TransPRK is a surface laser eye treatment where the laser removes the outer layer of the cornea and reshapes the underlying tissue. This incision-free laser vision correction procedure makes TransPRK ideal for patients with thin corneas or those engaged in contact sports. Healing may take slightly longer than LASIK or SMILE, but it offers excellent long-term visual outcomes.

5. PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision

PRESBYOND® is a specialised laser treatment designed for people over 45 who struggle with near vision due to presbyopia. By blending near and distance focus in each eye, this technique significantly reduces or even eliminates the need for reading glasses, bifocals, or varifocals. 



The Vision Correction Process

The goal of all laser vision correction procedures is to improve the way light is focused on the retina. By altering the curvature of the cornea:

• Myopia is corrected by flattening a steep cornea.
  
  
• Hyperopia is improved by steepening a flat cornea.
  
  
• Astigmatism is corrected by smoothing out an uneven cornea.
  
  

Long-Term Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery

• Improved quality of life: Clear vision can enhance daily activities, from driving to sports.
  
  
• Cost savings: Over time, you may save on the ongoing costs of glasses, contact lenses, and related products.
  
  
• Convenience: No more fumbling for glasses in the morning or dealing with dry eyes from contact lenses.
  
  

Start Your Journey Towards Clear Vision

Laser eye surgery improves vision by correcting the imperfections in your cornea that prevent light from focusing correctly on the retina. Through precise laser technology, these procedures can offer long-term clarity, freedom, and confidence. 

If you’re tired of relying on corrective lenses, it may be time to explore if laser vision correction is right for you. At Crystal Eye & Laser Centre, our principal ophthalmologist, Dr Lourens Van Zyl, will discuss your options thoroughly. He will conduct a comprehensive assessment and create a treatment plan specific to your needs. Book an appointment today.