Many, like KC, who are suffering from vision aberrations, wish for a permanent solution to their eye problems. “Many people I know have gone through the procedure of laser eye surgery and are very happy with the results,” she says, clearly voicing her enthusiasm for the procedure.[break]
The Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) resumed its services of laser surgery for permanent correction of refractive error in January last year. The surgery is carried out by using Lasik surgery to ensure that the image is formed on the retina, which otherwise is formed in front of the retina in myopic conditions and behind it in hyperopic conditions.
Since then, laser eye surgery has been sought out by many people; and it has been popular mostly among urban people in their early twenties.
Pranita Sharma, 22, who has just completed her Bachelor’s-level studies, went through the procedure about six months ago. She was encouraged to go for the surgery after one of her friends’ brother went through the procedure and recommended it to her.
“I knew that such surgery existed long before it was introduced in Nepal. So I was clearly looking forward to it when TIO offered such services,” says Sharma. She adds that she never used contact lenses as replacement to her corrective glasses before her laser surgery as she believed that they were unusable in Kathmandu. “With so much dirt and pollution, I was scared that I might catch infection, and contact lenses never seemed like a reliable option to me, either” she says.
Though the procedure of laser eye surgery lasts only for around 10 minutes, one needs to take an appointment with the concerned doctors for initial consultation and later for pre-operative checkup before the doctors determine whether the person is a good candidate for the surgery.
Sharma says that though she was a little apprehensive in the beginning, her doubts were cleared when she visited the doctors for initial consultation. “My dad accompanied me during the consultation and he was also impressed by the amount of information provided by the doctors,” she says.
She went through surgery during the Dashain vacation, considering that she would have ample time to rest after the surgery. “No matter how sure you are, going for a surgery is always a big deal. And when it’s your eyes, you do panic a little even if the doctors ensure you of safety,” she says, adding that she had a sleepless night before the surgery day.
Ambalika Shakya, 24, who also had her laser eye surgery some six months back, and a medical doctor herself, says that she was impressed by the doctor’s consultation and friendly nature. “Being able to get rid of glasses and contact lenses gives you a sense of freedom. The surgery felt very rewarding when I could clearly see the distant objects without them,” she says.
But Shakya adds that one should not jump into laser eye surgery without preparation. “Laser eye surgery may be a 10-minute procedure but it requires detailed attention before and after the surgery,” she says.
After the surgery, one will experience blurred vision for another 24 hours. During that time, they are required to wear eye shield and keep themselves away from excessive light and other electronic devices that strain the eyes. The usage of artificial tears is also recommended for another six months to one year, according to individual requirement.
“You should always be cautious, and carelessness will have bigger consequences,” says Shakya. Though she does not have any complications till now, she recommends that people decide upon the surgery only after having complete self-assurance.
“There is no cent percent guarantee of any surgery. You might face complications as well, and in such cases psychology also plays its part. So it is better to have all the information to overcome any insecurity regarding the process,” she says.
Sharma, on the other hand, cannot contain her joy over acquiring normal eyesight and strongly suggests it to people with vision aberrations. “I think getting normal vision for your lifetime is a boon and laser eye surgery gives you the opportunity to experience that,” she says.
But for many, like KC, laser eye surgery is still a complicated decision with the technology newly introduced in the country. Many like her are also apprehensive that this surgery might have complications later in life. “My mother is against the idea of eye surgery. She suggests that I stick to contact lenses or corrective glasses,” says KC.
Lasik surgery was introduced in the United States more than two decades ago. Even India had started these services a decade back; but for Nepal, it is a new concept. While many people have gone ahead with the surgery, many are still doubtful of its success. The scare of side effects is also one of the main factors that keep many people from using the Lasik services. Laser eye surgery is definitely a sensitive process, which not only requires a skilled medical hand but also a major commitment by the candidates for healthy practices before and after the surgery.
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