Types of surgery to improve vision - advantages and disadvantages

Today, the problem of visual impairment (the rapid development of various ophthalmic diseases) in people of different age categories is very acute.All this is due to neglect of health and excessive stress on the organ of vision.Computers, tablets, phones, TVs and e-books - all these things can not only simplify life, but also, on the contrary, harm.

Fortunately, science does not stand still, and these diseases, which were previously difficult to treat, can now be eliminated practically without consequences or complications.

Laser vision correction

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

The advantages of this procedure:

• security.Relatively low probability of developing serious complications.
• Effective for all disorders.The operation is performed not only to improve vision and remove optics.In some cases, laser correction cannot be avoided (this applies to diseases that lead to blindness).
• Painless.Before the procedure begins, an anesthetic is injected into the patient's organ of vision, so the maximum that the patient can feel is slight discomfort at certain stages of the surgical intervention.
• Discontinuity.The procedure itself lasts minutes, and most of the time is spent preparing for it.
• Short recovery period.In this case, you do not need to register at a hospital.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and the patient can go home after it.
• Stability and predictability.The doctor almost always knows how effective the operation will be before it is performed.The result lasts for a long time (an exception may be the progressive myopia of the patient).

The choice of the specialist and the place of the operation always remains for the patient.The cost of the procedure and medical services in private clinics may vary.Their formation is influenced by many factors.Therefore, it is worth spending time searching for information and clarifying in advance all questions of interest.

Types of operations

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

• laser (subepithelial) keratomileusis;
• photorefractive keratectomy;
• femtosecond LKZ.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was first performed several decades ago in Germany.In this procedure, the cornea is exposed to an excimer laser.Indications for the procedure are astigmatism, myopia and farsightedness.

A significant disadvantage of the photorefractive keratectomy method is the long and unpleasant recovery period.Also, vision does not return immediately after the procedure, but gradually;complications are possible.Therefore, it is resorted to only when other more modern and effective methods are contraindicated.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).Unlike the previous method, during the operation the surface layer of the cornea is not removed, but only moved to the side.The recovery period lasts less than with PRK.

Laser keratomileusis (LASIK).Currently, this is the safest and most effective method of vision correction.The recovery period is short, vision improves in the first hours after the operation.

Femtosecond LKZ (Femto-LASIK) is one of the modifications of the LASIK method that helps achieve ideal results.The risks are reduced, vision returns and the rehabilitation period does not last long.This method also has fewer contraindications than conventional laser correction.The procedure can be performed even in patients with dry eye syndrome.

There are other modifications to the basic methods.The choice of the most appropriate method in a specific situation is made by the doctor.

Indications and contraindications

Laser vision correction, like any other procedure, has its indications and contraindications.Indications are divided into two types: medical and professional.

A medical indication for laser vision correction is the presence of the following disorders in one eye (the other can see well):

• farsightedness;
• astigmatism;
• myopia.

Professional indications (specialties where the wearing of lenses or glasses is inappropriate):

• firefighters;
• police officers;
• military;
• people working in the industrial sector (places where there is a lot of dust, smoke and other unfavorable factors).

Contraindications are relative and absolute.Absolutes include:

• autoimmune pathologies;
• immune deficiency;
• diseases that affect the processes and speed of healing after surgery;
• the patient has only one eye;
• myopia (progressive);
• herpes virus infection;
• retinal detachment;
• thinning of the cornea.

List of relative contraindications:

• diabetes mellitus;
• psychoses;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• the patient has heart problems (presence of a pacemaker);
• ophthalmic diseases of an inflammatory nature;
• scars in the cornea (shell);
• retinal and fundus changes.

The operation is strictly prohibited for persons under 18 years of age.This is due to physiological characteristics (not fully formed eyeball).

Preparation for laser correction

When an operation to restore sight is already scheduled, the ophthalmologist recommends passing a series of tests and following certain rules.You may also need to consult with other specialists: therapist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, etc.

Analyzes that must be done before the procedure:

• general blood test;
• general analysis of urine;
• HIV test;
• syphilis test;
• hepatitis test;
• coagulogram.

A list of recommendations that are very important to follow for admission to surgery:

• stop wearing contact lenses (this should be done one to two weeks before surgery);
• a few days before the procedure, avoid alcoholic drinks and medicines that contain alcohol;
• put yourself in order before the procedure;
• breakfast on the day of the specified date should be light;
• You should not apply make-up to your face or perfume to your body before surgery;
• you must purchase and take sunglasses with you (they will be needed after the procedure and during the recovery period);
• For laser surgery to improve vision, it is advisable to take a loved one with you, who will remember all the doctor's recommendations regarding the postoperative period, help you get home and take care of the patient for the first time.

The fulfillment of these conditions is very important, since the success of the procedure and the final result depend on it.

How is the procedure performed?

Almost all types of laser correction are performed in 3 main stages.If we talk about the most effective, popular and sought-after LASIK procedure, it is the following:

1. First stage.A laser or microkeratome creates a flap on the surface of the cornea and moves it to the side.
2. Second stage.The shape of the cornea is changed with a laser beam (it must correspond to the individual parameters of the patient).
3. Third stage.The flap returns to its original position and heals.

Many people have heard that patients close their eyes during surgery.There are times when the patient wakes up during the procedure and injury is possible.In this situation, the eyes are not sealed during the laser correction, because drops of anesthetic are instilled before the procedure, and the operation itself lasts only a few minutes, so such measures are not necessary.

Postoperative period

The postoperative period is different for everyone.But after laser correction with LASIK, the patient feels an improvement in the first days and does not experience any particular discomfort.

After the operation, it is necessary to clarify again all possible complications, ask anxious questions and again listen to the main recommendations.

An approximate list of actions in the postoperative period (the duration of this period depends on many factors):

• You can only sleep on your back;
• the visit to the ophthalmologist on certain dates is mandatory;
• after the operation, it is necessary to wear sunglasses outside (they protect against dust, infection and small particles falling into the eyes);
• Do not touch the operated area with your hands;
• prescribed drugs must be used strictly at the time and in the prescribed amount;
• It is better not to wash your hair in the first days after the operation;
• You can wash yourself only with purified or boiled water;
• for some time you should stop using skin care and decorative cosmetics;
• it is important to reduce physical activity for a while (the doctor must inform you about the end of the restrictions at the appointment after the examination);
• you can not visit saunas, swimming pools and other public places where you can get an infection;
• it is necessary to reduce eye strain (refusal from reading, watching TV, prolonged use of phones and tablets);
• In the postoperative period, it is strictly forbidden to drive a car;
• If it becomes painful or severe discomfort is felt, you should consult a specialist.

There are also some dietary recommendations.Since laser correction is still a surgical intervention and therefore a certain stress on the body, you need to eat properly.

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

Suitable for:

• fruits and berries: blueberries, apricots, peaches, kiwis, etc.;
• vegetables: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin;
• fermented milk products (cottage cheese);
• fish: salmon, mackerel;
• meat: chicken, rabbit, turkey;
• viscera (kidneys and liver);
• eggs (yolks).

During the postoperative period, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol and it is recommended to give up smoking.If the health condition worsens sharply in the first weeks after the operation and additional drugs are needed, you should inform your doctor about the recent laser correction.

Risks and consequences of the operation

Despite the fact that laser correction generally does not pose a serious danger, there are situations when complications still occur and lead to not entirely pleasant consequences.The ophthalmologist should mention this at the appointment and the patient agreeing to undergo the operation should be prepared for possible risks.

List of possible complications that may occur during the operation:

• the cornea may become cloudy;
• visual acuity may decrease;
• the image may start to double;
• astigmatism develops.

Such problems can arise for various reasons: lack of experience and professionalism of the doctor, incorrectly selected tools or method of correction, technical reasons, etc.

Complications that may occur after surgery:

• swelling, inflammation, itching, pain, and burning;
• allergic reaction to drugs;
• no improvement or worsening;
• blindness (caused by individual intolerance).

A number of problems that may not occur immediately, but some time after the operation:

• return of ophthalmic diseases (short duration of the therapeutic effect);
• dry eye syndrome;
• pathological processes affecting the cornea (keratoconus, erosion, etc.).

The laser correction method has both advantages and disadvantages.The decision to perform this procedure or not is everyone's business.In some cases, it helps to improve the quality of life (it makes it possible to walk without glasses and contact lenses), and sometimes it saves from complete blindness.

Surgical operations

Despite the great popularity of laser correction, there are situations in which other microsurgical operations simply cannot be done.They save patients with glaucoma, cataracts and various retinal pathologies from blindness.And they also have a number of advantages and disadvantages.

To combat cataracts, operations are performed to remove the lens and replace it with a lens.Microsurgery can also treat retinal diseases.To do this, doctors achieve its complete adhesion to the tissues (subject) or remove scars and tissues with signs of pathological changes from the vitreous body.Glaucoma is overcome by surgery to restore the balance of fluids in the organ.

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

• keratoplasty (this procedure restores the function and shape of the cornea);
• Scleroplasty (surgery to help stop progressive myopia);
• lens implantation (phakic): farsightedness and myopia are corrected;
• vitrectomy (during this procedure pathological processes in the retina are eliminated)
• Lensectomy (during the operation, the lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens).

Surgical ophthalmic intervention can be cavitary or superficial.Laser correction is a superficial type, while cataract surgery is cavitary.

Surgical intervention comes to the rescue when laser correction is prohibited or cannot cope with a serious ophthalmic disease (cataract, glaucoma, etc.).Therefore, if the doctor insists on a surgical method to fight the disease, then you should trust him.

Treatment of ophthalmic diseases is rarely cheap, and this is not due to the desire of doctors to make as much money as possible.This is due to the high cost of the materials and equipment used for treatment.The eternal question remains the choice of a clinic: private or state.In this case, it is difficult to know.A doctor from a public clinic may have more experience and perform all procedures efficiently and confidently, while a doctor from a private clinic may have more conditions for successful work (modern equipment).Some doctors work at the same time in a private and public clinic, so you do not need to focus too much on the price of services.It is much more important to have positive reviews and recommendations.