Types of operations to improve vision - advantages and disadvantages

Today, the problem of visual impairment (rapid development of various ophthalmic diseases) in people of different ages is very serious.It's all due to neglect of health and excessive stress on the visual organ.Computers, tablets, phones, TVs and e-books - all this can not only simplify life, but on the contrary, harm.

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

Advantages of this procedure:

• Security.The likelihood of developing serious complications is relatively low.
• Valid for all violations.This operation is performed not only to improve vision and remove optics.In some cases, laser correction cannot be avoided (this applies to diseases leading to blindness).
• No pain.Before the procedure begins, anesthetic drugs are injected into the patient's visual organs, so the maximum that the patient can feel is slight discomfort at certain stages of the surgical intervention.
• There is no deadline.The procedure itself lasts several minutes, most of the time is spent preparing for it.
• Short recovery time.In this case, there is no need to register with the hospital.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and then the patient can go home.
• Stability and predictability.The doctor almost always knows how effective the surgery will be even before it is performed.The results last for a long time (an exception may be patients with progressive myopia).

The choice of specialist and surgical location always belongs to the patient.Prices for procedures and doctor's services in private clinics may vary.Their formation is influenced by many factors.Therefore, it is worth taking the time to search for information and clarify in advance any questions that concern you.

Types of activities

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

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

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was first performed several decades ago in Germany.With this method, the cornea is exposed to a stimulating laser.Indications for the procedure include astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

A significant disadvantage of refractive keratectomy is the long recovery time and discomfort.In addition, vision does not return immediately after the procedure but gradually;Complications may occur.Therefore, it is used only when other modern and effective methods are contraindicated.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).Unlike the previous method, during surgery, the superficial layer of the cornea is not removed, but only shifted to one side.Recovery time is less than with PRK.

Laser keratomileusis (LASIK).Currently, this is the safest and most effective method of vision correction.Recovery time is short, vision improves in the first hours after surgery.

Femtosecond LKZ (Femto-LASIK) is one of the variations of the LASIK method, which helps achieve ideal results.Risks are reduced, vision returns, and recovery time is not as long.This method also has fewer contraindications than conventional laser treatment.This procedure can be performed on patients even with dry eye syndrome.

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

Indications and contraindications

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

The medical indication for laser vision correction is the presence of the following disorders in one eye (the other eye sees clearly):

• farsightedness;
• astigmatism;
• short-sighted.

Specialties (specialties not suitable for glasses or glasses):

• fireman;
• police;
• army;
• People working in industrial zones (where there is a lot of dust, smoke and other adverse factors).

Contraindications are relative and absolute.Absolute ones include:

• autoimmune diseases;
• immunodeficiency;
• diseases that affect the process and speed of wound healing after surgery;
• The patient only has one eye left;
• nearsightedness (progressive);
• herpes virus infection;
• retinal detachment;
• The cornea thins.

List of relative contraindications:

• diabetes;
• mental disorders;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• patients with heart problems (with pacemakers);
• ophthalmic diseases of an inflammatory nature;
• scarring in the cornea (shell);
• changes in the retina and fundus of the eye.

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

Prepare for laser correction

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

Tests that must be performed before the procedure:

• general blood tests;
• General urinalysis;
• HIV testing;
• Syphilis testing;
• Hepatitis testing;
• coagulation map.

A list of very important recommendations to follow when accepting surgery:

• stop wearing contact lenses (this must be done one to two weeks before surgery);
• several days before the procedure, avoid alcoholic beverages and medications containing alcohol;
• Arrange order before procedures;
• breakfast on the appointed day should be light;
• You should not put makeup on your face or perfume on your body before surgery;
• you need to buy and bring sunglasses (they will be needed after the procedure and during the recovery period);
• For laser vision improvement surgery, you should be accompanied by a relative who will remember all the doctor's recommendations about the postoperative period, will help you get home and take care of the patient for the first time.

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 popular LASIK procedure, it goes like this:

1. First stage.The 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 using a laser beam (it must correspond to the patient's individual parameters).
3. Third stage.The flap is returned to its original position and healed.

Many people have heard that patients must be blindfolded during surgery.Sometimes patients wake up during the procedure and may be injured.In this situation, the eyes are not sealed during laser correction, since anesthetics are instilled before the procedure, and the surgery itself lasts only a few minutes, so such measures are not necessary.

Postoperative period

The postoperative period is different for each person.But after laser correction with LASIK, patients feel an improvement in the first days and do not feel much discomfort.

After surgery, it is necessary to once again clarify all possible complications, ask interested questions and once again listen to the main recommendations.

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

• You can only sleep on your back;
• it is mandatory to visit an ophthalmologist on the specified days;
• after surgery, it is necessary to wear sunglasses when going out (protects from dust, infection and small particles flying into the eyes);
• Do not touch the surgical area;
• Prescribed medications must be used on time and in the correct quantity;
• It is better not to wash your hair in the first days after surgery;
• You can only wash with purified or boiled water;
• Sometimes you should stop using skin care products and makeup;
• it is important to moderate physical activity for some time (the doctor will inform you about the cessation of restrictions at the appointment after the examination);
• you cannot go to saunas, swimming pools and other public places where you can get infected;
• need to reduce eye strain (do not read books, watch TV, use phones or tablets for long periods of time);
• Driving a car is strictly prohibited during the postoperative period;
• If it becomes painful or causes severe discomfort, you must consult a specialist.

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

As in any other phase, food must be healthy and contain necessary vitamins.To improve eyesight, eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C.

Suitable for this:

• fruits and berries: blueberries, apricots, peaches, kiwi, etc.;
• vegetables: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin;
• fermented milk products (fresh cheese);
• fish: salmon, mackerel;
• meat: chicken, rabbit, turkey;
• internal organs (kidney and liver);
• egg (yolk).

During the postoperative period, drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited and smoking should be stopped.If your health worsens significantly in the first weeks after surgery and requires additional medication, you should discuss your recent laser treatment with your doctor.

Risks and consequences of operations

Although in principle laser correction does not pose any serious dangers, there are situations where complications still arise and lead to not very pleasant consequences.The ophthalmologist must mention this during the appointment and the patient who agrees to undergo surgery must be prepared for possible risks.

List of complications that may occur during surgery:

• The cornea may become cloudy;
• Visual acuity may decrease;
• images may begin to double;
• astigmatism develops.

Such problems can arise for many reasons: lack of experience and professionalism of the doctor, incorrectly selected instruments or correction methods, technical reasons, etc.

Complications that can occur after surgery:

• swelling, inflammation, itching, pain and burning;
• allergic reaction to the drug;
• no improvement or deterioration;
• blindness (due to individual intolerance).

Some problems may not arise immediately but will appear some time after surgery:

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

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

Surgical operations

Although laser correction is very popular, there are still situations where other microsurgical operations cannot be performed without.They save patients suffering from glaucoma, cataracts and various retinal diseases from going blind.And they also have some 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 complete adherence to the tissues (objects) or remove scars and tissues with signs of pathological changes from the vitreous body.Glaucoma is corrected through surgery to restore fluid balance in the organ.

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

• keratoplasty (through this procedure the functions and shape of the cornea are restored);
• scleroplasty (a surgery that helps prevent myopia from progressing);
• lens implantation (phakic): correction of hyperopia and myopia;
• vitrectomy (during this procedure, pathological processes in the retina are removed)
• Lensectomy (during surgery, the lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens).

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

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 using surgery to fight this disease, you need to trust the doctor.

Treating eye diseases is rarely cheap, and this is not because doctors want to make as much money as possible.This is due to the high 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 is very difficult to guess.Doctors in public clinics may have more experience and perform all procedures effectively and confidently, while doctors in private clinics may have more conditions to work successfully (modern equipment).Some doctors work simultaneously in both private and public clinics, so you don't need to focus too much on service prices.It is much more important to have positive reviews and recommendations.