Many people have lasik eye surgery because they have vision problems that make it difficult to see clearly when they look at things up close, like reading or working on a computer screen. Other people cannot see distant objects clearly, such as when driving at night or seeing someone’s face from across the room. Hence, the goal of LASIK surgery is to improve your vision without glasses or contact lenses.
In our article, we explain what LASIK eye surgery is, what it does, what the risks are, how much LASIK costs in Malaysia, and whether it is a safe procedure.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a type of eye surgery that changes the shape of your cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This can be done by removing tissue from your cornea and smoothing it with a laser or by using an excimer laser to remove a small amount of corneal tissue. The process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 20 minutes, on a case-to-case basis.
It’s important to note that LASIK treatment is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Our eye care specialists will work with you to determine if it’s right for you and your eye health, which can vary depending on your age, medical history, and overall vision needs.
Is LASIK painful?
No! LASIK surgery is not painful because no incisions are made in your cornea or other parts of your eyes, and we use local anesthesia during the procedure. You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but most people don’t experience any pain or discomfort afterward either.
Most people don’t need any pain medication after surgery unless they experience significant discomfort during recovery. But there is a possibility that you may experience some discomfort during the first day after the procedure. Nevertheless, the discomfort should be minimal and easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Is LASIK a permanent eye surgery?
LASIK corrects your vision by reshaping the cornea, allowing more light to enter than with glasses or contacts. However, due to aging eyes and other factors such as genetics or other health conditions, LASIK may not be able to correct all vision problems associated with presbyopia or astigmatism completely or permanently in all patients who undergo this procedure.
Regardless, you will still need regular checkups at our Asia Eye Specialist Centre with our optometrist or ophthalmologist so that they can monitor your progress and make sure everything is going well.
How Safe is LASIK Eye Surgery?
Is LASIK safe? This is a commonly asked question for those who are interested in this laser eye treatment.
Yes, when done by a skilled and experienced eye care specialist, LASIK eye surgery is a safe procedure. As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks. However, for most people, these risks are minimal when compared to the benefits of having perfect vision without glasses or contacts.
The most common side effects are dry eyes and halos around lights at night. Vision may not be perfect right away after LASIK surgery and may take several months to fully correct itself as the eye heals back to its natural shape after being reshaped by the laser.
Who is not suitable for LASIK surgery?
Some people are ineligible for LASIK. They include people who have:
- extreme levels of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism an unstable (changing) refractive error
- severe dry eyes
- corneal disease or scars
- too thin corneas
- cone-shaped cornea (keratoconus)
- glaucoma that has progressed
- a cataract that impairs vision
- history of specific eye infections or conditions
- patients with health problems
- diabetes that is poorly managed
Laser Eye Surgery for Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common vision problem that occurs when the cornea—the clear lens located at the front of your eye—is shaped like an oval instead of being perfectly round. This causes light rays to focus in different places, which distorts vision and makes it harder to see clearly.
Most people with astigmatism have both nearsightedness and farsightedness as well as their eyes’ oval shape. For example, they may be able to see distant objects clearly but have trouble reading close-up things like books or computer screens because they’re farsighted while also having trouble seeing nearby objects because they’re nearsighted.
The effects of laser treatment for short-sightedness and long-sightedness can last anywhere from 5 to 20 years depending on the severity of your astigmatism, how well you take care of your eyesight after the procedure, and other factors such as age and lifestyle choices related to nutrition, exercise habits or stress levels (e.g., smoking).
LASIK Eye Surgery Cost in Malaysia
Most clinics will offer free consultations with the eye specialist to discuss your options before you undergo the procedure.
The price of LASIK eye surgery also depends on the clinic you choose to have it done at and the type of LASIK procedure you choose. The LASIK eye surgery cost in Malaysia is around RM2,000 to RM15,000, which includes the price of the procedure, the number of eyes treated, consultation fee, and post-surgery checkup.
At Asia Eye Specialists, our LASIK treatment starts at RM1,690 per eye, with a 0% easy payment scheme available.
Come visit our eye clinic in Kuala Lumpur to find out more about our LASIK price in Malaysia today!