How much does laser eye surgery cost in Nigeria?
In this article, I try to highlight the meaning of laser eye surgery, the procedure and duration of procedure, the popularity, where you can do LASIK surgery, the complications (risks) and cost.
Laser eye surgery, also known as LASIK surgery is a therapeutic procedure used to correct vision problems, is in vogue right now in Nigeria and around the world.
But what is laser eye surgery?
According to Eric Donnenfeld, M.D., past president, American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery: “It’s a simple, two-step laser procedure that takes less than 15 minutes. LASIK is approved to treat all three of the major reasons patients wear glasses: nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism”
Wikipedia defined LASIK surgery, commonly known as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, as a type of refractive errors surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
It is a procedure cherished by persons with eye defects from refractive errors who no longer want to wear glasses.
How is it done? How is the procedure for lasik surgery like?
The first step of the procedure is to make a thin, circular flap in the cornea, or the surface of the eye. In the second step, a laser is used to “sculpt the patient’s cornea to correct the patient’s vision problems,” says Donnenfeld. “The flap is then laid back in place to act as a natural bandage and protect the reshaped portion of the cornea while it heals.”
Is laser eye surgery popular? How many persons have done it worldwide?
Yes it is quite popular and it is increasing becoming a household procedure as people are increasing getting wary of carrying eye glasess about. According to Donnenfield, “over 9 million people have had LASIK surgery done over the last 20 years”.
What are the risks/complications of laser eye surgery
Just like every other surgical procedure, LASIK has its own risk and can be very minimal if the procedure is done by a trained ophthalmologist.
Here are the risks and the percentage of patients that have reported such complications.
- Dry eyes (reported by 95% of people who had the procedure done
- Corneal scarring
- Cataracts
- Retinal detachment – 0.36 percent of patients
- Uveitis (infection of the eye) – 0.04 percent
- Eye pain
- Halos (5% of patients )
- Flap breakdown (The incidence of flap complications is about 0.244%.)
- Wound breakdown
- Keratitis (The USA eyes organisation reports an incidence of 2.3% after LASIK)
- Subconjunctival bleeding reported in 10 percent of patients.
- Eye floaters
Remember, these symptoms are very rare if done by an expert.
Persons who should NOT go for laser eye therapy
These persons stand a greater risk of complications and possibly death if they have LASIK done.
According to Wikipedia, not everyone is eligible to receive LASIK. Severe bulging or thin corneas may disqualify patients from LASIK, though other procedures may be viable options. Those with cloudy cornea called Fuchs’ corneal endothelial dystrophy, corneal epithelial basement membrane dystrophy, retinal tears, autoimmune diseases, severe dry eyes, and significant blepharitis should be treated before consideration for LASIK. Women who are pregnant or nursing are generally not eligible to undergo LASIK.
Where can you do LASIK surgery in Nigeria?
It is done in Nigeria quite all right but the specialists for this kind of surgery are few now. Laser eye surgery is however done in Lagos , Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City and many other cities across Nigeria.
How much does laser eye surgery cost in Nigeria?
Laser eye surgery cost some money but it is affordable if you really want to have it done. The cost of laser eye surgery in Nigeria is N1.5 million naira for both eyeswhich is around N750, 000 Naira per eye. Some laser eye surgery centres in Nigeria may decide to charge more or less depending your percularity.
Sources
Wikipedia
Pulse
Image Credit: medium
