Types of surgery to improve vision - advantages and disadvantages

Today, the problem of visual impairment (rapidly developing various eye diseases) among people of different age groups is acute.This is caused by neglect of health and excessive stress on the visual organs.Computers, tablets, cell phones, televisions, and e-books—all these things not only simplify life, but can also harm it.

Fortunately, science does not stand still, and diseases that were previously difficult to treat can now be eliminated with virtually no consequences or complications.

laser vision correction

Laser vision correction is not only an opportunity to give up glasses and contact lenses, it is the only effective and safe way to preserve vision in old age.

Advantages of this program:

• Safety.The likelihood of serious complications is relatively low.
• Valid for any violation.This surgery is performed not only to improve vision and get rid of optics.In some cases, laser correction is unavoidable (this applies to diseases that cause blindness).
• Painless.Anesthetic drugs are instilled into the patient's visual organs before the operation begins, so the patient will experience at most mild discomfort during certain stages of the surgical intervention.
• No deadline.The process itself lasts a few minutes, with most of the time spent in preparation.
• Recovery period is short.In this case, there is no need to register with the hospital.The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, and patients can go home after the procedure.
• Stability and predictability.Doctors almost always know how effective a surgery will be before the surgery is performed.The results last for a long time (an exception may be the patient's progressive myopia).

The choice of specialist and surgical site is always decided by the patient.Prices for surgeries and physician services in private clinics may vary.Their formation is influenced by many factors.Therefore, it is worth taking the time to search for information in advance and clarify any questions of interest.

Operation type

There are many methods of correction.Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.List of laser correction types:

• Laser (subepithelial) keratomileusis;
• photorefractive keratectomy;
• Femtosecond LKZ.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was first performed in Germany decades ago.Through this procedure, the cornea is exposed to an excimer laser.Indications for this surgery include astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia.

A significant disadvantage of photorefractive keratectomy is the long and unpleasant recovery period.Additionally, vision does not return immediately after surgery but rather gradually; complications are possible.Therefore, it is adopted only when other more modern and effective methods are prohibited.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).Unlike previous methods, the superficial layer of the cornea is not removed during the surgery, but is simply moved to one side.The recovery period is shorter than PRK.

Laser keratomileusis (LASIK).This is the safest and most effective method of vision correction available.The recovery period is short, and vision can improve within a few hours after surgery.

Femto-LASIK (Femto-LASIK) is one of the improvements in the LASIK method that helps achieve the desired results.The risk is reduced, vision is restored, and the recovery period does not last long.This method also has fewer contraindications than traditional laser correction.Even patients with dry eye syndrome can undergo this procedure.

There are other modifications to the basic method.The choice of the most relevant method in a given situation is left to the physician's discretion.

Indications and Contraindications

Like any other procedure, laser vision correction has its indications and contraindications.Indications are divided into two categories: medical and professional.

Medical indications for laser vision correction are the following conditions in one eye (with good vision in the other eye):

• Farsightedness;
• astigmatism;
• Shortsighted.

Professional indications (professionals who are not suitable for wearing contact lenses or glasses):

• firefighter;
• police;
• army;
• People working in industrial sectors (places with a lot of adverse factors such as dust and smoke).

Contraindications are relative and absolute.Absolutely include:

• autoimmune diseases;
• immunodeficiency;
• Diseases that affect the process and speed of healing after surgery;
• The patient has only one eye;
• Myopia (progressive);
• Herpes virus infection;
• retinal detachment;
• The cornea becomes thinner.

List of relative contraindications:

• diabetes;
• mental illness;
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• The patient has heart problems (has a pacemaker);
• Inflammatory eye diseases;
• Scarring on the cornea (shell);
• Changes in the retina and fundus.

Persons under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited from performing this operation.This is due to physiological characteristics (the eyeball is not fully formed).

Preparing for laser correction

When surgery to restore vision has been scheduled, ophthalmologists recommend passing a series of tests and following certain rules.You may also want to consult with other specialists: therapists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, etc.

Tests that must be done before surgery:

• General blood tests;
• General urinalysis;
• HIV testing;
• syphilis testing;
• Hepatitis test;
• Coagulation diagram.

A very important list of advice to follow when admitted for surgery:

• Stop wearing contact lenses (must be done one to two weeks before surgery);
• In the days before surgery, avoid alcoholic beverages and medications containing alcohol;
• Get yourself organized before surgery;
• Breakfast on the agreed date should be light;
• You should not wear makeup on your face or spray perfume on your body before surgery;
• You will need to purchase and carry sunglasses with you (you will need them after surgery and during recovery);
• For laser vision improvement surgery, it is recommended that you take a loved one with you, who will remember all the doctor's recommendations regarding the postoperative period, will help you get home, and will take care of the patient at the first opportunity.

It is very important that these conditions are met, as the success and final results of the procedure depend on it.

How does the procedure work?

Almost all types of laser correction are performed in three main stages.If we talk about the most effective, popular and popular LASIK surgeries, the situation is as follows:

1. Stage one.A laser or microkeratome creates a flap on the surface of the cornea and moves it to one side.
2. The second stage.The laser beam changes the shape of the cornea (it must conform to the patient's personal parameters).
3. The third stage.The flap returns to its original position and heals.

Many people have heard of patients having their eyes taped shut during surgery.Sometimes patients wake up during the procedure and may be injured.In this case, the eye will not be sealed during laser correction because anesthetic drops are instilled before the procedure and the procedure itself only lasts a few minutes, so this measure is unnecessary.

postoperative period

The post-operative period is different for everyone.However, after using LASIK laser correction, the patient felt improved in the first few days and did not feel much discomfort.

After surgery, all possible complications need to be clarified again, concerns raised, and key recommendations heard again.

Approximate list of actions during the postoperative period (the duration of this period depends on many factors):

• Can only sleep on your back;
• You must see an ophthalmologist on a specified date;
• After surgery, you will need to wear sunglasses when going out (to prevent dust, infection and small particles from entering the eyes);
• Do not touch the surgical site with your hands;
• Prescribed drugs must be used strictly on time and in the right amount;
• It is best not to wash your hair in the first few days after surgery;
• Can only be cleaned with purified or boiled water;
• The use of skin care products and decorative cosmetics should be stopped for a period of time;
• It is important to temporarily limit physical activity (your doctor should inform you of the end of the restriction at your post-examination appointment);
• You cannot go to saunas, swimming pools and other public places where infection may occur;
• It is necessary to reduce eye fatigue (refuse to read, watch TV, use mobile phones and tablets for long periods of time);
• It is strictly forbidden to drive a car during the postoperative period;
• If you experience pain or severe discomfort, you must consult a specialist.

There are also some dietary recommendations.Since laser correction is still a surgical intervention, there is a certain amount of stress on the body and the need to eat correctly.

As with any other period, food should be healthy and contain necessary vitamins.To improve vision, it is recommended to eat more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C.

Good for this:

• Fruits and berries: blueberries, apricots, peaches, kiwis, etc.;
• Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin;
• fermented dairy products (cheese);
• Fish: salmon, mackerel;
• Meat: chicken, rabbit, turkey;
• Internal organs (kidneys and liver);
• Egg (yolk).

It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol during the postoperative period, and it is recommended to quit smoking.If your health deteriorates dramatically in the first few weeks after surgery and requires additional medications, you should mention your recent laser correction to your doctor.

Risks and Consequences of Operations

Although laser correction does not in principle pose any serious dangers, complications can arise in certain cases and lead to consequences that are not entirely pleasant.Ophthalmologists must mention this at the time of appointment, and patients who agree to undergo surgery must be prepared for the possible risks.

List of possible complications during surgery:

• The cornea may become cloudy;
• Vision may decrease;
• The image may begin to double;
• Astigmatism occurs.

There are many reasons for such problems: lack of experience and professionalism on the part of the doctor, incorrect selection of instruments or correction methods, technical reasons, etc.

Possible complications after surgery:

• Swelling, inflammation, itching, pain, and burning;
• allergic reactions to medications;
• No improvement or worsening;
• Blindness (caused by personal intolerance).

Many problems may not appear immediately but occur some time after surgery:

• Recurrence of ophthalmic diseases (short duration of treatment effect);
• dry eye syndrome;
• Pathological processes affecting the cornea (keratoconus, erosion, etc.).

Laser correction methods have both advantages and disadvantages.The decision whether to pursue this procedure is everyone's business.In some cases, it helps improve quality of life (can walk without glasses and contact lenses) and sometimes even prevents complete blindness.

surgery

Despite the popularity of laser correction, there are some cases where other microsurgery procedures simply cannot be accomplished.They can protect patients with glaucoma, cataracts and various retinopathy from blindness.They also have many advantages and disadvantages.

To combat cataracts, surgery is performed to remove the lens and replace it.Microsurgery can also treat retinal diseases.To do this, the doctor makes it completely adhere to the tissue (subject) or removes scars and tissue from the vitreous that show signs of pathological changes.Glaucoma is overcome with surgery to restore the fluid balance within the organ.

The following procedures (surgical interventions) are also widely used:

• Keratoplasty (a procedure to restore the function and shape of the cornea);
• Scleroplasty (surgery that helps stop progressive myopia);
• Lens implantation (phakic eyes): corrects farsightedness and myopia;
• Vitrectomy (during which pathological processes of the retina are eliminated)
• Lensectomy (a surgical procedure in which the lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens).

Ophthalmic surgical intervention can be cavitary or superficial.Laser correction is the superficial type, while cataract surgery is the cavitary type.

Surgical intervention comes into play when laser correction is prohibited or cannot cope with serious eye diseases (cataracts, glaucoma, etc.).So if your doctor insists on a surgical approach to fighting the disease, you need to trust him.

Treatment for eye disease is rarely cheap, and that's not because doctors want to make as much money as possible.This is due to the higher cost of materials and equipment used for processing.The eternal question remains the decision to choose a clinic: private or public.In this case it's hard to guess.A doctor in a public clinic may have more experience and he performs all procedures efficiently and confidently, while a doctor in a private clinic may have more conditions (modern equipment) to work successfully.Some doctors work in both private and public clinics, so you don't need to pay too much attention to the price of services.It is more important to get positive reviews and suggestions.