Many people have heard of LASIK, which is simply a type of vision correction or restoration surgery using lasers. Our website teaches about LASIK in Japan; your options and what to expect, so let’s start with a basic overview of the procedure.
People who need vision correction to see clearly usually use contact lenses or glasses to correct their sight. These lenses help their eyes focus properly. However, there is another alternative for some patients. Laser surgery uses a laser to correct the refraction and restore vision. Most people who have undergone surgery have their vision restored to 1.0 or higher, allowing them to live comfortable daily lives.
LASIK is a same-day procedure that takes just 15 minutes to complete, even if both eyes are treated.
It is a proven method of restoring or correcting vision by using a laser to remove only the substance of the cornea. Its safety has been established. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved the procedure in 2000 and as more people came to believe that it was safe, the procedure gradually has become more widespread.
In the United States, where LASIK is already a common treatment, many people undergo the procedure as if they were getting contact lenses. In Japan, too, more and more people are undergoing LASIK (vision correction surgery) as they hear from friends, family, and co-workers that this procedure is safe and effective. There is no doubt that this number will continue to increase in the future .
Myopia surgery has a long history and has been performed in Japan, but because it involved the use of a scalpel, it did not become widespread due to the risk of blindness and issues with the doctor's skill.
Even after LASIK laser treatment was approved in Japan, not many people had the procedure, but it gradually became more popular after athletes and celebrities had it. Many people who had poor eyesight did not want to undergo surgery to improve their eyesight, but when a famous person they knew had it, people who saw their success afterwards became interested.
One of the leading influences in how LASIK has become so popular among many Japanese people who had previously avoided eye surgery is probably because the experiences of actors and sports figures who live in the public eye have helped lessen the fear.
In Japan, major league baseball player Daisuke Matsuzaka, professional golfers Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Takeo Ozaki, and Satoshi Nishikawa have all had LASIK surgery and continue to play an active role afterwards. Many celebrities, including TV personalities and actors, have also had LASIK surgery and have shared how the experience was and how their lives improved afterward.
Clinic websites often include testimonials from celebrities who have undergone LASIK and these testimonials do build confidence with potential clients looking to choose the right clinic for their procedure.
When considering LASIK surgery, look into whether there is a clinic within commuting distance of your home. For example, Kanagawa Eye Clinic (formerly Kanagawa Clinic Ophthalmology), which has clinics in Tokyo (Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward), Osaka (Dojimahama, Kita Ward), and Aichi (Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya), offers a long-distance travel expense subsidy option that includes a 10,000 yen discount for both eyes (5,000 yen discount per eye) to those who live in prefectures other than Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Kyoto, Hyogo, Osaka, and Nara. Reach out directly for updated cost information.
Safety is a primary concern for any eye procedure. A large number of procedures have been performed and for this reason, no clinic is rated 100% perfect. It may be hard to choose a clinic that you feel you can trust based on the large amount of information you will see and because of this, take your time in making a decision. Do not rush through it. Be sure you have developed a realistic level of confidence. It is important not to be impulsive or to rush in making the decision. The procedure is deemed safe based on more than 40 million procedures done worldwide. This does not mean that in 100% of cases it will be perfect. Speak with your doctor to see if you are a good candidate so that you have good chances of success.
Description: This is the original LASIK procedure where a microkeratome (a precise surgical instrument) is used to create a thin flap in the cornea. An excimer laser then reshapes the underlying corneal tissue to correct vision, and the flap is repositioned.
Description: Also known as femtosecond LASIK or IntraLASIK, this procedure uses a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap instead of a microkeratome. This approach is considered more precise and can reduce the risk of complications associated with the use of a blade.
Description: This advanced type of LASIK uses detailed measurements of how light travels through the eye to create a customized treatment plan. A wavefront analyzer maps the eye's unique imperfections, allowing for a more personalized reshaping of the cornea to improve visual outcomes and reduce issues like glare and halos.
Description: Unlike wavefront-guided LASIK, which is customized for each eye, wavefront-optimized LASIK aims to maintain the natural curvature of the cornea. It uses standard measurements but considers the natural shape of the eye to minimize the induction of higher-order aberrations, which can affect night vision.
Description: This type of LASIK uses corneal topography to map the surface of the cornea in great detail. It is particularly useful for patients with irregular corneas and aims to improve the smoothness and regularity of the corneal surface, enhancing vision quality.
Description: Although not a LASIK procedure per se, PRK is a related laser eye surgery that does not involve creating a corneal flap. Instead, the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed, and an excimer laser reshapes the underlying tissue. The epithelium then regenerates over time. PRK is often recommended for patients with thinner corneas or other corneal issues that make them unsuitable for LASIK.
Description: LASEK is a variation of PRK where the outer layer of the cornea is preserved as a thin flap. This flap is moved aside, the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser, and then the flap is repositioned. It combines elements of both LASIK and PRK and is an option for patients who might not be ideal candidates for LASIK.
Description: SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure where a femtosecond laser is used to create a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea. This lenticule is then removed through a small incision, reshaping the cornea and correcting vision. SMILE does not involve creating a flap, making it a potential option for patients with dry eyes or other conditions.
Each type of LASIK or related laser eye surgery has its own advantages and is suited for different types of patients and vision correction needs. Consulting with an experienced ophthalmologist or eye surgeon can help determine the best procedure based on individual eye health and vision requirements.
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