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CHANDIGARH, MARCH 11: For those who hate wearing spectacles because they make them look ugly'' can now have second thoughts. With lates...

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 11: For those who hate wearing spectacles because they make them look 8220;ugly8221; can now have second thoughts. With latest techniques like lasik8217; available in the city, experts say that specs are the safest and the best bet.

8220;None of the methods to improve eyesight actually cure myopia; spectacles, contact lenses, lasik technique, all assist the person to see clearly and cope with the disorder,8221; says Dr. Amod Gupta, Head of Opthalmology Department, PGI. He believes that spectacles are safe, reversible, effective, affordable and the most consistent way of improving vision.

It has now been observed that contact lenses, which have replaced spectacles to a large extent, can lead to serious complications. The hard contact lenses need to be taken off every eight hours and if this is not done the supply of oxygen to the cornea is exhausted, leading to blurred image and temporary blindness. Soft lenses, which allow the passage of oxygen to cornea, are highly sensitive and require a great deal of care. If not dipped in a sterile solution, these lenses attract germs and the use of contaminated lenses can lead to ulceration, say experts.

In photorefractive keratectomy 8211; a more recent way to take care of blurred vision 8211; a part of cornea is siphoned off with the help of a laser beam in order to help form the image on the retina. But this technique can lead to the serious problem of corneal opacity, is not successful in cases where the eyeball grows on its own, is not reversible and does not have a 100 per cent guarantee of being effective.

The most recent technique to take care of hazy looks is lasik, wherein a surgery is performed on the cornea. The part of cornea which needs to be removed is cut off and the thin layer put back in its place. Says Dr. Gupta, 8220;Even this treatment can lead to several more complications and is not reversible. One can never be too sure whether it will work or not.8221; Two private centres in the city are believed to offer this latest technology of providing vision aid.