Today, the problem of visual impairment (the rapid development of various ophthalmological diseases) in people of different age categories is very acute.All this is due to health neglect and excessive stress on the organ of vision.Computers, tablets, phones, TVs and e-books - all these things can not only make your life easier, but, on the contrary, also harm it.
Fortunately, science does not stand still, and those diseases that were previously difficult to cure can now be eliminated with practically no 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:
- Safety.Relatively low chance 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 start of the procedure, an anesthetic drug is instilled into the patient's organ of vision, so the most the patient can feel is mild discomfort at some stages of the surgery.
- Not duration.The procedure itself lasts minutes, most of the time is spent preparing it.
- Short recovery period.In this case it is not necessary to register in a hospital.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and the patient can return home at the end.
- Stability and predictability.The doctor almost always knows how effective the operation will be even before performing it.The result lasts a long time (an exception may be the patient's progressive myopia).
The choice of specialist and place of surgery is always up to the patient.The price 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 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 hyperopia.
A significant disadvantage of the photorefractive keratectomy method is the long and unpleasant recovery period.Furthermore, vision does not return immediately after surgery, 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 superficial layer of the cornea is not removed, but only moved laterally.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 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 also be performed on patients with dry eye syndrome.
There are also other changes to the basic methods.The choice of the most relevant method in a particular situation is made by the doctor.
Indications and contraindications
Laser vision correction, like any other procedure, has its indications and contraindications.The 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 in which it is inappropriate to wear lenses or glasses):
- firefighters;
- policemen;
- 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.The absolute ones include:
- autoimmune diseases;
- immunodeficiency;
- 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;
- psychosis;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- the patient has heart problems (presence of pacemaker);
- ophthalmological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
- scarring in the cornea (shell);
- changes in the retina and fundus.
The operation is strictly prohibited for minors under 18 years of age.This is due to physiological characteristics (eyeball not fully formed).
Preparation for laser correction
When surgery to restore vision has already been 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.
Exams to take before the procedure:
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- HIV testing;
- test for syphilis;
- hepatitis test;
- coagulogram.
A list of very important recommendations 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 beverages and medications that contain alcohol;
- tidy yourself up 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 must purchase and bring sunglasses with you (they will be needed after surgery and during the recovery period);
- For laser vision improvement surgery, it is advisable to bring a loved one with you, who will remember all the doctor's recommendations regarding the postoperative period, help you return home and take care of the patient for the first time.
Compliance with 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 as follows:
- First phase.A laser or microkeratome creates a flap on the surface of the cornea and moves it laterally.
- Second phase.The shape of the cornea is changed by a laser beam (it must correspond to the individual parameters of the patient).
- Third phase.The flap is returned to its original position and healed.
Many people have heard that patients have their eyes taped shut during surgery.There are times when the patient wakes up during the procedure and it is possible for them to injure themselves.In this situation, the eyes are not sealed during laser correction, since anesthetic drops 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 proceeds differently for everyone.But after laser correction with LASIK, the patient feels improvement in the first few days and does not feel much discomfort.
After surgery, 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 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 prescribed dates;
- after the operation it is necessary to wear sunglasses outside (they protect from dust, infections and small particles entering the eyes);
- Do not touch the operated area with your hands;
- prescribed drugs must be used strictly at the specified time and in the specified quantity;
- It is best not to wash your hair in the first few days after surgery;
- You can wash yourself only with purified or boiled water;
- for some time you should stop using skin care products and decorative cosmetics;
- it is important to moderate physical activity for a while (your doctor should inform you of the end of restrictions on visits after the exam);
- it is not possible to visit saunas, swimming pools and other public places where it is possible to contract an infection;
- 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 you feel severe discomfort, you should consult a specialist.
There are also some dietary recommendations.Since laser correction is still a surgical operation, and therefore a certain stress for the body, it is necessary to eat well.
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 this:
- fruit and berries: blueberries, apricots, peaches, kiwis, etc.;
- vegetables: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin;
- fermented milk products (ricotta);
- fish: salmon, mackerel;
- meat: chicken, rabbit, turkey;
- offal (kidneys and liver);
- eggs (yolks).
In the postoperative period, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol and it is advisable to stop smoking.If in the first weeks after surgery your health deteriorates dramatically and additional medications are necessary, you should inform your doctor about the recent laser correction.
Risks and consequences of the operation
Despite the fact that laser correction, in principle, does not pose any serious danger, there are situations in which complications still arise that lead to not entirely pleasant consequences.The ophthalmologist must mention this at the appointment and the patient, agreeing to undergo the operation, must be prepared for the possible risks.
List of possible complications that may occur during surgery:
- 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 correction methods, 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 series of problems that may not arise immediately, but some time after the operation:
- 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 both advantages and disadvantages.Deciding whether or not to carry out this procedure is everyone's business.In some cases it helps improve the quality of life (allows you to walk without glasses and contact lenses) and sometimes saves from complete blindness.
Surgical operations
Despite the high popularity of laser correction, there are situations when it is simply not possible to do without other microsurgical operations.They save patients suffering from glaucoma, cataracts and various retinal diseases 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 crystalline lens.Microsurgery can also cope 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 from the vitreous body.Glaucoma is overcome through surgery to restore the balance of fluids in the organ.
The following procedures (surgical interventions) are also widely used:
- keratoplasty (through this operation the functions and shape of the cornea are restored);
- scleroplasty (an operation that helps stop progressive myopia);
- implantation of lenses (phakic): hyperopia 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).
Ophthalmological surgery can be cavitary or superficial.Laser correction is superficial, while cataract surgery is cavitary.
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 of combating the disease, then you need to trust him.
Treatment of ophthalmic diseases is rarely cheap, and this is not due to the desire of doctors to earn as much money as possible.This is due to the high cost of the material and equipment used for treatment.The eternal question also remains the decision on the choice of a clinic: private or public.In this case it is difficult to guess.A doctor from a public clinic may have more experience and 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 both a private clinic and a public one, so there is no need to focus too much on the price of services.It is much more important to have positive reviews and recommendations.