Do You Believe in Magic? Laser Eye Surgery Could Make You Reconsider
From the breathtaking performances of David Blaine and the mind-bending illusions of Derren Brown, the world of magic can take on many forms. Today, popular “magic” entertainers often take on much more than pulling rabbits out of hats, making cards disappear, or pulling an endless trail of scarves out of their sleeves.
Of course, such performances are impressive and endlessly entertaining. But while we might find it difficult to understand the tricks played by these well-known “magicians”, most of us know that they are indeed just that – tricks.
Yet, many of us are always willing to be proven wrong. And if there is something that might make us reconsider our non-belief in magic, it might be Laser Eye Surgery.
Sure, we know that this extremely popular procedure is the result of decades of technological advancement. We might even know vaguely how the treatment works to correct even severe refractive errors, from myopia (short-sightedness) and hyperopia (long-sightedness) to presbyopia and astigmatism.
But when we experience the results for ourselves, it can often seem impossible not to consider that we have been the subject of some kind of magic.
Experiencing the “Wow Factor”
Patients choose to have Laser Eye Surgery for all kinds of reasons. It might be to improve their sports performance, be able to better enjoy their time with their children, or simply to do away with the everyday inconveniences of glasses and contact lenses.
But whatever the reason for heading to our Harley Street clinic, many of our patients have the same reaction on sitting up after their procedure: “Wow”.
This isn’t surprising, considering that many people notice an immediate improvement in their vision.
For some, this might be being able to see the numbers and hands on the clock for the first time in years. Others might notice that they no longer have to hold forms and documents as far away from their face as their arms will allow.
But each and every “wow factor” moment gives our surgeons and clinic staff just as much joy as the last. It helps us to know that we have once again worked our magic by providing a high-quality and bespoke treatment to rid another patient of their restrictive refractive error. But, of course, we know that it isn’t really magic at all. So, how does it really work?
How Does This ‘Magic’ Really Work?
Laser Eye Surgery treatment has been around for decades, and while it might still seem like a futuristic procedure, it actually builds on theories that have been around for much longer. In fact, it uses the same theory employed by glasses and contact lenses, simply taking it a step further.
At one time, hundreds of years ago, the invention of glasses may well have also caused some to question whether magic was at play. But their mechanism of correction, like that of Laser Eye Surgery, can be easily explained.
Common refractive errors like short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism occur due to an abnormality in the way light is directed into the eye. In the case of myopia, light is focused slightly beyond the retina, while in hyperopia, it sits slightly in front of it. This affects how the brain processes this information, causing our sight to appear blurry at certain distances.
Adjusting how light is reflected into the eye allows us to change this. Glasses and contact lenses are extremely effective at achieving this; however, they also come with a number of drawbacks due to their external nature.
In contrast, Laser Eye Surgery corrects the problem at the source. Ultra-precise lasers are used to reshape the cornea itself, in turn correcting the way light is reflected into the eye.
So, there you have it! While it might be tempting to credit magic for the “wow”-inducing effects of Laser Eye Surgery, it is in fact science that has graced us with this life-changing treatment.
If you’d like to learn more about our Laser Eye Surgery treatments, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today.
