Today, the problem of visual impairment (rapid development of various ophthalmological 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, televisions and e-books - all these things can not only simplify life, but also, on the contrary, harm.
Fortunately, science does not stand still and those diseases that were previously difficult to treat can now be eliminated without any 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.
Advantages of this procedure:
- Security.Relatively low probability of developing serious complications.
- Effective for all offenses.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 start of the procedure, an anesthetic is instilled into the patient's visual organ, so that the maximum the patient can feel is mild discomfort in certain phases of the surgical intervention.
- Non-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 report to the 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 surgery will be even before it is done.The result lasts a long time (the exception may be the patient's progressive myopia).
The choice of the specialist and the location of the operation always remains with the patient.The price of procedures and medical 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 the questions that interest you in advance.
Types of operations
There are several correction methods.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 decades ago in Germany.With 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 uncomfortable recovery period.Also, vision does not return immediately after the procedure, but gradually;possible complications.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 is shorter 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 already in the first hours after the operation.
Femtosecond LASIK (Femto-LASIK) is one of the modifications of the LASIK method, which helps in achieving ideal results.The risks are reduced, vision is restored, and the rehabilitation period does not last long.This method also has fewer contraindications than conventional laser correction.The procedure can also be performed in patients with dry eye syndrome.
There are other modifications of the basic methods.The choice of the most relevant method in a certain 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.
The 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 wearing lenses or glasses is inappropriate):
- firefighters;
- police officers;
- military;
- people who work 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 processes and speed of healing after surgery;
- the patient has only one eye;
- myopia (progressive);
- herpes virus infection;
- retinal ablation;
- corneal thinning.
List of relative contraindications:
- diabetes mellitus;
- psychosis;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- the patient has heart problems (presence of a pacemaker);
- ophthalmological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
- corneal scarring (peel);
- changes in the retina and fundus.
The operation is strictly prohibited for persons under the age of 18.This is due to physiological characteristics (the eyeball is not fully formed).
Preparation for laser correction
When vision restoration surgery is already scheduled, the ophthalmologist recommends passing a series of tests and following certain rules.You may need to consult other specialists: therapist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, etc.
Tests that must be done before the procedure:
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- HIV test;
- syphilis test;
- hepatitis test;
- coagulogram.
List of recommendations that are very important to follow for admission to surgery:
- stop wearing contact lenses (this must be done one to two weeks before surgery);
- a few days before the procedure, avoid alcoholic beverages and medicines containing alcohol;
- get yourself in order before the procedure;
- breakfast on the day of the scheduled date should be light;
- You should not apply make-up to your face or perfume to your body before surgery;
- you must buy and take sunglasses with you (they will be needed after the procedure 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, will help you get home and will take care of the patient for the first time.
Fulfilling these conditions is very important, because 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, most popular and most sought-after LASIK procedures, it reads:
- The first stage.A laser or microkeratome creates a flap on the surface of the cornea and moves it to the side.
- The second stage.The shape of the cornea is changed by the laser beam (it must correspond to the individual parameters of the patient).
- The third phase.The flap returns to its original position and heals.
Many people have heard that patients' eyes are closed during surgery.There are times when the patient wakes up during the procedure and injury is possible.In this situation, the eyes are not closed during laser correction, because anesthetic drops are instilled before the procedure, and the operation itself lasts only a few minutes, so such measures are unnecessary.
Postoperative period
The postoperative period is different for everyone.But after laser correction with LASIK, the patient already feels improvement in the first days and does not feel much discomfort.
After the operation, it is necessary to clarify all possible complications, ask worrying questions and listen to the main recommendations once again.
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;
- mandatory visit to the ophthalmologist at prescribed times;
- after the operation, it is necessary to wear sunglasses outside (they protect against dust, infections and small particles in the eyes);
- Do not touch the operated area with your hands;
- prescribed medicines must be used strictly at the time and in certain quantities;
- It is better not to wash your hair in the first days after the operation;
- You can only wash with purified or boiled water;
- you should stop using skin care and decorative cosmetics for a while;
- it is important to moderate physical activity for a while (the doctor should inform you about the end of the restriction at the appointment after the examination);
- you must not visit saunas, swimming pools and other public places where you can get an infection;
- it is necessary to reduce eye strain (refuse reading, watching television, long-term use of phones and tablets);
- It is strictly forbidden to drive a car in the postoperative period;
- If it becomes painful or severe discomfort is felt, you must 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 must 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, kiwi, etc.;
- vegetables: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin;
- fermented milk products (fresh cheese);
- 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 recommended to stop smoking.If your health suddenly deteriorates in the first weeks after surgery and additional medication is needed, inform your doctor about the recent laser correction.
Risks and consequences of surgery
Despite the fact that laser correction in principle does not pose a serious danger, there are situations when complications still occur and lead to not very pleasant consequences.The ophthalmologist must mention this during the examination, and the patient, who agrees to the operation, must be prepared for possible risks.
List of possible complications that may arise during the operation:
- the cornea may become cloudy;
- visual acuity may decrease;
- the image may begin to double;
- astigmatism develops.
Such problems can arise for various reasons: lack of experience and professionalism of the doctor, incorrectly selected instruments or method of correction, technical reasons, etc.
Complications that may occur after surgery:
- swelling, inflammation, itching, pain and burning;
- allergic reactions to medicines;
- no improvement or deterioration;
- blindness (caused by individual intolerance).
A number of problems that may not appear 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.It is up to everyone to decide whether this procedure will be carried out or not.In some cases, it helps to improve the quality of life (enables walking without glasses and contacts), and sometimes saves from complete blindness.
Surgical operations
Despite the great popularity of laser correction, there are situations when other microsurgical operations simply cannot be done without.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 deal with retinal diseases.To do this, doctors achieve its complete adhesion to the tissues (of the subject) or remove scars and tissues with signs of pathological changes from the vitreous body.Glaucoma is overcome by surgery to restore fluid balance 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 removed)
- Lensectomy (during surgery, the lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens).
Surgical ophthalmological intervention can be cavity or surface.Laser correction is a superficial type, while cataract surgery is a cavity.
Surgical intervention comes to the rescue when laser correction is prohibited or cannot be handled with a serious ophthalmic disease (cataract, glaucoma, etc.).Therefore, if the doctor insists on a surgical method of fighting the disease, then you must believe 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 materials and equipment used for treatment.The decision to choose a clinic: private or public remains an eternal question.In this case, it is difficult to guess.A doctor from a public clinic may have more experience, and perform all procedures efficiently and reliably, while a doctor from a private clinic may have more conditions for successful work (modern equipment).Some doctors work in both private and public clinics at the same time, so you don't have to focus too much on the price of services.It is much more important to have positive reviews and recommendations.