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Types of operations to improve vision - advantages and disadvantages

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

Fortunately, science does not stand still and those diseases that 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 get rid of glasses and contact lenses, but also the only effective and safe way to preserve vision in old age.

Advantages of this procedure:

  • Security.Relatively low probability of developing serious complications.
  • Effective for any violation.The operation is performed not only to improve vision and to get rid of optics.In some cases, laser correction cannot be avoided (this applies to diseases that lead to blindness).
  • No pain.Before the procedure begins, an anesthetic drug is injected into the patient's organ of vision, so the maximum that the patient can feel is a slight discomfort at certain stages of the surgical intervention.
  • No duration.The procedure itself takes a few minutes, most of the time is spent preparing for it.
  • Short recovery period.In this case, there is no need to register at the hospital.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and after it the patient can go home.
  • Stability and predictability.The doctor almost always knows how effective the operation will be even before it is performed.The result lasts for a long time (the exception may be the progressive myopia of the patient).

The choice of the specialist and the location of the operation always remains with the patient.The price of the procedure and the 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 all questions of interest in advance.

Types of operation

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

  • 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 farsightedness.

An important disadvantage of the photorefractive keratectomy method is the long and uncomfortable recovery period.Also, vision does not return immediately after the procedure, but gradually;complications are possible.Therefore, it is used 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, it is 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 within the first hours after the operation.

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

There are other modifications to the basic methods.The choice of the most important method in a given 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 sees well):

  • foresight;
  • astigmatism;
  • myopia.

Professional indications (specialties where it is inappropriate to wear lenses or glasses):

  • firefighters;
  • police;
  • 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.Absolute ones include:

  • autoimmune pathologies;
  • lack of immunity;
  • diseases affecting the processes and speed of recovery 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 (the presence of a pacemaker);
  • ophthalmological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
  • wounds on the cornea (shell);
  • changes in the retina and fundus.

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

Preparation for laser correction

When the operation to restore sight is already planned, the ophthalmologist recommends to go through a series of tests and follow certain rules.You may also need to consult other specialists: therapist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, etc.

Tests to be done before the procedure:

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

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

  • stop using contact lenses (this should be done one to two weeks before surgery);
  • a few days before the procedure, avoid alcoholic beverages and medicines containing alcohol;
  • adjust yourself before the procedure;
  • breakfast on the day of the appointed date should be light;
  • You should not apply makeup to your face or perfume to your body before surgery;
  • you need to buy and take with you 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.

Fulfillment of these conditions is very important, as 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 most requested LASIK procedure, it goes as follows:

  1. The first stage.A laser or microkeratome creates a bump on the surface of the cornea and moves it sideways.
  2. The second stage.The shape of the cornea is changed by a laser beam (it must correspond to the individual parameters of the patient).
  3. The third stage.Frap returns to its original position and heals.
Stages of laser vision correction

Many people have heard that patients are blindfolded during surgery.There are cases when the patient wakes up during the procedure and injury is possible.In this situation, the eyes are not closed during laser correction, as anesthetic drops are introduced before the procedure and the operation itself takes only a few minutes, so such measures are unnecessary.

Postoperative period

The postoperative period continues differently for everyone.But after laser correction using LASIK, the patient feels an improvement in the first days and does not feel much discomfort.

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

An approximate list of actions in the period after surgery (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 dates;
  • after the operation, it is necessary to wear sunglasses outside (they protect against dust, infection and small particles entering the eyes);
  • Do not touch the operated area with your hands;
  • prescribed medications must be used strictly at the time and in the specified amount;
  • It is better not to wash your hair in the first days after the operation;
  • You can only wash with purified or boiled water;
  • for some time you should stop using skin care and decorative cosmetics;
  • it is important to moderate physical activity for a while (the doctor should 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 infected;
  • it is necessary to reduce eye strain (refuse reading, watching TV, prolonged use of phones and tablets);
  • It is strictly forbidden to drive a car during the postoperative period;
  • 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, the food must 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, kiwi, etc.;
  • vegetables: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin;
  • fermented milk products (curd);
  • fish: salmon, mackerel;
  • meat: chicken, rabbit, turkey;
  • offal (kidneys and liver);
  • eggs (yolks).

During the postoperative period, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol and it is advisable to quit smoking.If your health deteriorates significantly in the first weeks after surgery and additional medications are needed, you should tell your doctor about the last laser correction.

Risks and consequences of surgery

Despite the fact that laser correction, in principle, does not pose any serious risks, there are situations when complications still arise 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 the possible risks.

The list of possible complications that may appear during the operation:

  • 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, wrongly chosen instruments or correction method, technical reasons, etc.

Complications that may occur after surgery:

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

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

  • recurrence 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 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 (makes it possible to walk without glasses and contacts), and sometimes saves from complete blindness.

Surgical operations

Despite the high popularity of laser correction, there are situations when other microsurgical operations simply cannot be done without it.They save patients with glaucoma, cataracts and various retinal pathologies from blindness.And they also have a number of advantages and disadvantages.

To combat cataract, operations are performed to remove the lens and replace it with a lens.Microsurgery can also cope with diseases of the retina.To do this, doctors achieve its complete adherence to the tissues (subject) or remove wounds and tissues with signs of pathological changes from 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);
  • lens implantation (phakic): farsightedness and myopia are corrected;
  • 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 - an operation to restore vision

Ophthalmological surgical intervention can be cavitary or superficial.Laser correction is a superficial type, while cataract surgery is a 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 fight the disease, then you should trust him.

The 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 material and equipment used for treatment.The eternal question remains the decision to choose a clinic: private or public.In this case it is difficult to guess.A doctor from a public clinic may have more experience, and he performs all procedures efficiently and safely, while a doctor from a private clinic may have more conditions for successful work (modern equipment).Some doctors work simultaneously in a private and public clinic, 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.