Eye Surgery
LASIK is an outpatient surgical procedure. The only anesthetic is an eye drop that numbs the surface of the eye. The surgery takes about fifteen minutes for each eye.
LASIK which is an acronym for combining PRK or excimer with another procedure which enables Dr. Somchai to bypass the step of removing the epithelium of the cornea. A special instrument called a keratome is used to make a thin flap like a lid in the cornea leaving the epithelium alone. The flap is lifted and the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea and the flap closed. The cornea still has all of its structures intact and there is essentially no recovery time or discomfort at all. Nothing has to grow back. LASIK also had the advantage of being more effective in nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism and when necessary, enhancements are easily performed by lifting the flap and applying laser.
Due to considerations of time and convenience, most patients are having both eyes done at the same time. Discuss this with Dr. Somchai at the time of your screening exam as the answer depends on your motivation and also the configuration of your eyes and the amount of correction you need. Patients can return to work the next day, but of course, this depends on the visual demands of your job and your own motivation to return to work.
At Bangkok Pattaya Hospital there goal is to help each patient to achieve their best possible vision as quick as possible. By continually refining the methods we use in patient care, we are able to improve vision and make the entire experience more comfortable and convenient for you. The AKKOMMODATIVE 1 CU represents the latest development in artificial lenses and can provide patients with a better quality of life. The lens is designed to change shape providing similar functions to a natural healthy lens. The AKKOMMODATIVE 1 CU gives most patients the ability to perform their normal activities without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Unlike traditional artificial lenses, distance and near objects can both be seen in focus without spectacles . The AKKOMMODATIVE 1 CU intraocular lens meets the European requirements for implantable medical devices and is a CE approved product.
They can determine if the AKKOMMODATIVE 1 CU is suitable for you.
Major goals of refractive error surgery:
- Reducing dependence on complementary glasses and contact lenses.
- Safe and satisfied operation.
- Eyesight examination will be performed occasionally after the operation, but the patients need to understand the expected result; that the vision does not appear completely clear immediately after the operation. In some cases after the operation, this will be the best possible improvement for that person.
How succesful is Lasik surgery?
- Low myopia (0-600): 95% - 99%
- Moderate myopia (600-1000): 93% - 99%
- High myopia (>1000): 85% - 90%
Understanding the success rate
95% possible success means 95 people out of a 100 people do not need to use any further correction such as eyeglasses or contact lens. The other 5 people may have to use further correction if the condition of the cornea is not fit to use more laser. If the corneal condition is good enough for further laser procedures, they will not need any further correction.
Suitable Candidates for LASIK
- People who are at least 18 years of age with stable vision for at least one year.People who encounter problems in using spectacles or contact lenses with the condition of myopia or astigmatism.People who have no corneal diseases or other eye diseases e.g. significant retinal degeneration, severe dryness of the eye, Keratoconus or any other complicated diseases which may affect the eye's healing process such as SLE.People who are not pregnant.
- People who have fully understood the disadvantages and advantages of the surgery with realistic expectations of the outcome.
Patients should understand that having expectations that are realistic for their particular case is most important to their ultimate satisfaction with the results of the procedure. While we provide general statistics below, it is important for patients to talk with the doctor and review their expectations prior to making a final decision.
Expectation
While we provide information regarding the overall expectations for the surgery, we understand that there are specific questions that arise in the first few weeks following the surgery.
Speed of Visual Recovery
Patients should understand that, while fast visual recovery characterizes the operation, it can take several months before some patients achieve their final vision after LASIK. Several studies demonstrate that the vision of a number of patients continued to improve up to six months post-operatively.
Crispness of Vision
Patients need to understand that, for many people, 20/20 vision after LASIK can be different from 20/20 vision with contact lenses before LASIK, especially gas permeable contact lenses. The images seen through eyes treated by LASIK are often described as not being as "crisp" as those seen through glasses. This condition, referred to in ophthalmic literature as "loss of contrast sensitivity," will not affect your acuity as it is measured on an eye chart, but the visual experience is different enough that a new term has been coined: LASIK 20/20. While the majority of patients do adjust to this change following LASIK, patients who perform fine detail work (artists, architects, draftsmen) should be sure to carefully weigh the benefits LASIK can afford against the potential loss of contrast sensitivity.
Results
This data reflects the results of a large range of myopia (-1.00 to -14.00) and astigmatism (1.00-4.00). The lower the degree of nearightedness and astigmatism, the greater chance to get 20/20 or close to it.
The Excimer laser is an extremely accurate tool. However, with some patients, particularly the ones with higher range of myopia and astigmatism (-10.00 and above), a minor correction may still be needed to achieve the best and most comfortable vision possible. Under these circumstances, an enhancement may be performed. This occurs with approximately 6-15% of patients.
About the specialist - Dr Somchai Trakoolshokesatian, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, eye, lasik, super sight surgery, icl
Education
- Doctor of Medicine, 1987 Chiangmai University, Thailand
- Certified Board of Ophthalmology, 1994 Chiangmai University, Thailand
Work Experience
- General practice and Public health in rural hospital of Tak Province April 1988 – June 1991
- General Ophthalmology Ophthalmology practice in Sriklaeng Hospital July 1994 – May 1996
- Ophthalmology practice in Bangkok Pattaya Hospital June 1996 – present
Related Experience
- International exchange of professional skills in ophthalmology PROJECT ORBIS, INC. in Chiangmai Thailand; January 1992
- The " Sight First " Charity Project for Blindness Prevention Lions Club of Pattaya in Pattaya 1999 - 2001
- International Course in Refractive Laser Surgery ( LASIK ) in Antwerp, Belgium 2002
- International Course in Refractive Surgery(Akkommodative - 1CU) in Munich, Germany
- International Course in Refractive Surgery(ICL) in Lisbon, Portugal
- International MEL80 User Symposium (LASIK) in Bangkok, Thailand
- Member of European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
- Member of American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons