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Types of operations to improve vision – advantages and disadvantages

Today, the problem of visual impairment (the rapid development of various ophthalmological diseases) in people of different age groups 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 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 abandon 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 any violations.The operation is performed not only to improve vision and eliminate 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 instilled into the patient's organ of vision, so that the most the patient can feel is slight discomfort at certain stages of the surgical intervention.
  • Not duration.The procedure itself lasts minutes, most of the time is spent preparing for it.
  • Short recovery period.In this case, there is no need to register with a hospital.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and afterward the patient can go home.
  • Stability and predictability.The doctor almost always knows how effective the operation is even before it is performed.The result lasts a long time (an exception may be the patient's progressive myopia).

The choice of specialist and location for the operation is always up to the patient.The price for the procedure and medical services in private clinics may vary.Its formation is influenced by many factors.Therefore, it is worth taking the time to search for information and clarify all questions of interest in advance.

Types of operation

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

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

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

A significant disadvantage of the photorefractive keratectomy method is the long and unpleasant recovery period.Furthermore, vision does not return immediately after the procedure, but gradually;complications are possible.Therefore, it is only used 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).At the moment, this is the safest and most effective method of vision correction.The recovery period is short, vision improves in the first few hours after surgery.

Femtosecond LKZ (Femto-LASIK) is one of the modifications of the LASIK method, which helps to 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 on patients even with dry eye syndrome.

There are also other modifications to the basic methods.The choice of the most relevant method in a given 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 types: medical and professional.

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

  • clairvoyance;
  • astigmatism;
  • myopia.

Professional indications (specialties where the use of lenses or glasses is not appropriate):

  • firemen;
  • 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;
  • immunodeficiency;
  • diseases that affect the healing processes and speed 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);
  • ophthalmological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
  • scars on the cornea (concha);
  • changes in the retina and fundus.

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

Preparation for laser correction

When surgery to restore vision is already scheduled, the ophthalmologist recommends undergoing a series of exams and following some rules.It may also be necessary to consult other specialists: therapist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, etc.

Tests that must be done before the procedure:

  • general blood test;
  • general urinalysis;
  • HIV testing;
  • test for syphilis;
  • hepatitis test;
  • coagulogram.

A list of recommendations that are very important to follow upon 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 beverages and medications that contain alcohol;
  • put yourself in order before the procedure;
  • breakfast on the appointed day should be light;
  • You should not apply makeup to your face or perfume to your body before surgery;
  • you need to buy and take sunglasses (they will be needed after the procedure and during the recovery period);
  • For laser vision improvement surgery, 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.

Compliance with these conditions is very important, as the success of the procedure and the final result depend on this.

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 as follows:

  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 by a laser beam (it must correspond to the patient's individual parameters).
  3. Third stage.The flap returns to its original position and heals.
Stages of laser vision correction

Many people have heard that patients tape their eyes shut during surgery.There are times when the patient wakes up during the procedure and injuries are possible.In this situation, the eyes are not sealed during laser correction, as anesthetic eye drops are instilled before the procedure and the operation itself only lasts a few minutes, so such measures are unnecessary.

Postoperative

The post-operative period is different for each person.But after laser correction with LASIK, the patient feels an improvement in the first few days and does not feel much discomfort.

After surgery, it is necessary to clarify all possible complications once again, ask questions and listen once again 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;
  • it is mandatory to visit the ophthalmologist on the prescribed dates;
  • after the operation, it is necessary to wear sunglasses outdoors (they protect against dust, infections and small particles that get into the eyes);
  • Do not touch the operated area with your hands;
  • prescribed medications must be used strictly at the specified time and quantity;
  • It is best not to wash your hair in the first few days after surgery;
  • You can only wash with purified or boiled water;
  • for some time you should stop using decorative and skin care cosmetics;
  • it is important to moderate physical activity for a while (the doctor should inform you about the end of restrictions during the consultation after the exam);
  • you cannot visit saunas, swimming pools and other public places where you can catch an infection;
  • it is necessary to reduce eye strain (refusal to read, watch TV, prolonged use of cell phones and tablets);
  • It is expressly prohibited to drive a car after surgery;
  • If it becomes painful or you feel intense discomfort, you should consult a specialist.

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

As in any other period, food must be healthy and contain the necessary vitamins.To improve vision, it is recommended to consume 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 dairy products (cottage cheese);
  • fish: salmon, mackerel;
  • meat: chicken, rabbit, turkey;
  • offal (kidneys and liver);
  • eggs (yolks).

During the post-operative period, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited and it is advisable to stop smoking.If your health deteriorates markedly in the first few weeks after surgery and additional medications are needed, you should mention your recent laser correction to your doctor.

Risks and consequences of the operation

Despite the fact that laser correction, in principle, does not pose any serious danger, there are situations when complications still arise and lead to not entirely pleasant consequences.The ophthalmologist must mention this during the consultation and the patient, agreeing to undergo the operation, must be prepared for possible risks.

List of possible complications that may arise during surgery:

  • the cornea may become cloudy;
  • visual acuity may decrease;
  • the image may begin to duplicate;
  • astigmatism develops.

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

Complications that may occur after surgery:

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

A number of problems that may not arise immediately, but some time after surgery:

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

The laser correction method has advantages and disadvantages.The decision to carry out this procedure or not is everyone's business.In some cases, it helps to improve quality of life (allows you to walk without glasses and contact lenses) and sometimes prevents total blindness.

Surgical operations

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

To combat cataracts, operations are performed to remove the lens and replace it with a lens.Microsurgery can also deal with retinal diseases.To do this, doctors achieve its complete adhesion to the tissues (subject) or remove scars and tissues with signs of pathological changes in the vitreous body.Glaucoma is overcome 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 (an operation that helps stop progressive myopia);
  • implantation of lenses (phakic): correction of hyperopia and myopia;
  • vitrectomy (during this procedure, pathological processes in the retina are eliminated)
  • Lensectomy (during surgery, the lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens).
Vitrectomy – surgery to restore vision

Ophthalmological surgical intervention can be cavitary or superficial.Laser correction is superficial type while cataract surgery is cavitary type.

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

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