The advances in medicine and technology have made laser eye surgery better than ever. Almost all people who are short-sighted, longsighted, or have astigmatism are excellent candidates for this procedure.

LASIK or laser in-situ keratomileusis is the most popular of these laser surgeries. It corrects vision by reshaping the clear front part of the eye or cornea so that light that enters is properly focused on the retina so images are seen clearly. Other methods are LASEK, PKR, epi-LASEK, and refractive surgery.

Laser surgery has many benefits and it is a highly established method to correct vision. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and majority of patients experience improved vision almost immediately. There is virtually no pain associated with this method. Recovery is quick and resumption of normal activities can proceed the day after surgery.

The most substantial benefit is freedom from having to use corrective eyewear, no more worrying over broken glasses and expensive replacements. The days of having to depend on contact lenses are over, no more cumbersome cleaning and storing, and no more risk of eye irritation or infection.

After laser surgery, sports activities can be enjoyed fully because there are no more bothersome eyeglasses and contact lenses. Outdoor activities such as swimming and cycling as well as travelling also become more pleasurable and convenient. Self- confidence is also enhanced.

As with all surgical procedures, laser correction has its risks. Though this one of the safest and most effective surgeries today, patients should be aware that patients differ and others can have atypical responses to laser application.

One of these is under correction or overcorrection. Under correction is more common than overcorrection. If this occurs, it is more often in patients with high levels of astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness. On the other hand, overcorrection can occur but usually repairs itself within a month or so. Both conditions are often transitory and hardly continue to be permanent problems. Glasses or contact lenses can be used until they resolve. In some cases, a second procedure can be done after three to six months to improve the outcome.

One of the most common risks of laser eye surgery is having dry eyes. This usually subsides in the succeeding months and is managed by using lubricating eye drops.

Infection of the cornea is a very rare condition in laser vision correction. At times, delayed healing can occur in susceptible patients. This can normally be treated with antibiotics and steroid eye drops.

The cornea is the part of the eye that is treated in laser eye surgery. Corneal haze is a part of the normal healing process and gradually recedes with no permanent effect on vision. The cornea can become cloudy if it does not heal properly after the procedure. Infrequently, some patients with high degrees of refractive disorders can experience excessive corneal haze that can interfere with vision. This is usually treated with steroid eye drops or other medications.

In cases of refractive eye surgery, the effect can be gradually lost over several weeks or months. This is termed as regression. As with under correction or overcorrection, a retreatment is often sufficient.

Another risk of laser surgery is the development of halo or starburst effect around lights and other illuminated objects. This can happen in patients with high levels of refractive errors and those with large pupils. A halo effect can interfere with night driving. It is usually temporary and disappears within one to three months.

A few patients experience discomfort following surgery. This largely depends on the person's tolerance level, some being more sensitive than others. An even rarer reaction is sensitivity to anaesthetics used.

Two uncommon complications are the development of irregular astigmatism and eye lid droop. Irregular astigmatism can result to ghosting around images at night. Additional laser treatment can correct this condition. Ptosis or eye lid droop is a very rare occurrence, and will usually resolve spontaneously within a couple of weeks after surgery.

With competent doctors and modern machines, laser eye surgery risks have been kept minimal. Most people are highly pleased with the outcome and have experienced improved quality of life. Before going through a refractive lens exchange procedure, it is best to discuss the pros and cons with the eye doctor as well as the benefits and risks of cataract surgery before deciding which treatment is most suitable.