One of the most effective ways to get rid of contact lenses and glasses is through laser operations. The laser method called No Touch Laser technique is applied as a laser surgical procedure without touching the eye. The No Touch Laser treatment is a method applied by looking at a distant light source for a maximum of 50 seconds.
Who Can Undergo No Touch Laser?
After a detailed medical examination, if the patient's eye structure is suitable for this operation, it is a method that can be applied to patients with myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. In particular, No Touch Laser treatment may be recommended for individuals with a thin cornea structure or a steep corneal surface.
How is No Touch Laser Applied?
The treatment is applied by instilling an anesthetic drop and the patient looking at the rays emitted from the device. During this process, there is no contact with the eye. The patient does not feel any pain during this operation. The operation is completed in a very short time, and there is no need to cover the eyes after the procedure.
What is the Recovery Process Like After No Touch Laser Application?
After the application, there may be stinging, burning, redness, and blurring in the eyes. However, the patient can start performing daily activities 5 days after the treatment is applied. It is important to complete the treatment process as recommended by the physician.
What Are the Advantages of No Touch Laser?
- Treatment is completed in a short time.
- The patient does not feel pain during the treatment.
- Application can be done on both eyes in a single session.
- No flap is lifted from the eye - the eye is not scratched.
- There is no need to cover the eyes after treatment.
- Can be applied to patients with a thin cornea.
- There is no risk of retinal detachment.
- Problems like flap wrinkles or epithelial ingrowth are not experienced.
Every treatment related to eye health should be personalized. The suitability of the eye structure is the most important criterion in laser surgeries. The thickness of the cornea plays a decisive role, especially in laser treatments.
In individuals where corneal thickness is insufficient, applying laser with classical methods can be risky. At this point, No Touch Laser offers a safe option for patients with thin corneas. It can also be suitable for individuals with high refractive errors or planar irregularities in their cornea.
However, not every individual with refractive errors is suitable for No Touch Laser. After a detailed eye examination and tests, your physician will evaluate whether your eyes are suitable for this method.
Operation Process: How is No Touch Laser Applied?
Before the treatment, the patient's eyes are examined in detail to clarify the suitability. On the day of the application, these steps are followed:
- The area is numbed with an anesthetic eye drop.
- The patient looks at a fixed point guided by the laser device.
- Laser beams are applied to the cornea without any contact with the eye.
- The operation is completed within a few minutes.
No Touch Laser in the First Days: How Does the Process Progress?
After No Touch Laser, new cells are expected to form on the eye surface. During this process, stinging, burning, watering, light sensitivity, and temporary blurring may occur in the eyes. These symptoms are normal and usually diminish within 4 to 5 days. Antibiotic and soothing drops are used for the first few days.
After the treatment, the patient can return home the same day. The eyes are not covered; however, it is recommended to avoid sunlight and screen light for the first few days. Vision clarity increases gradually within 1–2 weeks, while full clarity may take a few weeks. It is very important not to skip follow-up appointments.
Who is Not Suitable for No Touch Laser?
As with any treatment, there may be some individuals for whom No Touch Laser is not appropriate. The following conditions may prevent this treatment from being applied:
- Active eye infections
- Retinal problems or risk of tears
- Uncontrolled systemic diseases like diabetes
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding period
In such cases, the physician will provide information about alternative treatment options.
Choosing a Laser Based on Eye Structure: Which Method is Right for You?
The eye structure is different in every individual, and the success rate of the laser treatment to be applied largely depends on this structure. In individuals whose corneal thickness is insufficient or whose cornea is steeper than normal, classical methods may not always be suitable. In such cases, No Touch Laser stands out. This method can be successfully applied even in individuals with thin corneas. Along with a detailed eye examination, your specialist will determine the most appropriate method for your eye structure.
Night Vision Problems and the Impact of No Touch Laser
Night vision problems are a common complaint, especially arising from refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Due to improper focusing of the eye, this issue becomes more noticeable, particularly in dim environments. When driving at night, problems such as blurry vision under the headlights of others, eye fatigue, and distraction can occur.
No Touch Laser treatment offers a significant solution for patients experiencing night vision problems. As it provides a more sensitive and accurate recovery process compared to classic laser treatments, night vision problems can be treated. The procedure improves focus issues in the eye, enhancing visual clarity in low-light conditions. As a result, night driving and night vision problems can significantly improve.
Eye Pressure and No Touch Laser: Risks and Application Status for Glaucoma Patients
Eye pressure (glaucoma) is a condition where the elevated pressure within the eye damages the optic nerve. Although No Touch Laser is an effective treatment method for individuals with refractive errors, it requires careful evaluation for patients with eye pressure.
The No Touch Laser procedure is generally considered low risk since it does not require direct contact with the eye. However, in patients with eye pressure, particularly if intraocular pressure is not controlled, glaucoma may progress and sensitivity on the eye may increase during the procedure. Before laser treatment is applied to glaucoma patients, doctors may recommend medication therapy or surgical intervention to regulate intraocular pressure.
Therefore, controlling eye pressure is a critical step before considering the No Touch Laser procedure. Your doctor will evaluate your eye pressure condition and decide whether laser treatment can be applied. Regular eye check-ups after treatment are important to monitor eye pressure and manage the treatment process correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between No Touch Laser and classic laser treatments?
In classic laser treatments (such as LASIK or PRK), it is usually necessary to make an incision on the eye surface or lift the corneal layer. In No Touch Laser, there is no physical contact with the eye surface, which reduces the risk of infection and preserves the natural structure of the cornea better. Complications such as epithelial ingrowth are also prevented. No Touch Laser is a method that can be safely applied to individuals with thin corneas.
Can contact lenses be used after No Touch Laser?
After the treatment, once the recovery process is complete, the use of temporary lenses may be recommended by the doctor in certain special cases. Generally, however, the aim is for the patient to achieve clear vision without the need for contact lenses or glasses. The doctor will provide guidance based on the eye condition after treatment.
Is No Touch Laser a permanent solution?
Yes, No Touch Laser treatment is generally a permanent method. It offers a long-term solution as it corrects refractive errors in the eye. However, lens changes that may occur at advanced ages (such as presbyopia or cataracts) may create a need for glasses again. These conditions do not diminish the effect of No Touch Laser treatment; they are only natural changes that occur with age.
What should be considered after the No Touch Laser application?
In the first few days post-procedure, it is very important not to rub the eyes, avoid dusty environments, and use the prescribed eye drops regularly. Moreover, not missing the scheduled follow-ups ensures a smooth recovery process. Exposure to screen time and direct sunlight should also be limited.