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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 categories is very acute.This is all 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 those 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 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 likelihood of developing serious complications.
  • Effective for any violations.The operation is performed not only to improve vision and get rid of optics.In some cases, laser correction cannot be avoided (this applies to diseases that lead to blindness).
  • Painless.Before the procedure begins, an anesthetic drug is instilled into the patient’s organ of vision, so the maximum that the patient can feel is mild discomfort at certain stages of the surgical intervention.
  • Non-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 to a 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 (an exception may be the patient’s progressive myopia).

The choice of specialist and location of the operation always remains with the patient.The price of the procedure and doctor's services in private clinics may vary.Their formation is influenced by many factors.Therefore, it is worth taking 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 types of laser correction:

  • laser (subepithelial) keratomileusis;
  • 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.

A significant disadvantage of the photorefractive keratectomy method is the long and unpleasant recovery period.Also, vision does not return immediately after the procedure, but gradually; complications are possible.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 superficial corneal layer is not removed, it is only shifted 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 surgery.

Femtosecond LKZ (Femto-LASIK) is one of the modifications of the LASIK method, which helps to achieve ideal results.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 particular 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):

  • farsightedness;
  • astigmatism;
  • myopia.

Professional indications (specialties where 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 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 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 in the cornea (shell);
  • changes in the retina and fundus.

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

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.

Tests that must be taken before the procedure:

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

A 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 medications that contain alcohol;
  • get yourself in order 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 purchase 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 take 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.

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 carried out in 3 main stages.If we talk about the most effective, popular and sought-after LASIK procedure, it goes 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 individual parameters of the patient).
  3. Third stage.The flap is returned to its original position and healed.
Stages of laser vision correction

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 injury is possible.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 unnecessary.

Postoperative period

The postoperative period proceeds 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 surgery, it is necessary to once again clarify all possible complications, ask questions of concern, 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 prescribed dates;
  • after the operation, it is necessary to wear sunglasses outside (they protect against dust, infection and small particles getting into the eyes);
  • Do not touch the operated area with your hands;
  • prescribed medications must be used strictly at the time and in the specified quantity;
  • It is better not to wash your hair in the first days after surgery;
  • You can wash only with purified or boiled water;
  • for some time you should stop using skincare 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 cannot visit saunas, swimming pools and other public places where you can get 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 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 need to eat right.

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:

  • fruits and berries: blueberries, apricots, peaches, kiwi, etc.;
  • vegetables: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin;
  • fermented milk products (cottage cheese);
  • fish: salmon, mackerel;
  • meat: chicken, rabbit, turkey;
  • offal (kidneys and liver);
  • eggs (yolks).

During the postoperative period, it is strictly prohibited to drink alcohol and it is advisable to quit smoking.If your health deteriorates sharply in the first weeks after surgery and additional medications are required, you should mention to 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 when complications still arise and 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 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 double;
  • astigmatism develops.

Such problems can arise for various reasons: lack of experience and professionalism of the doctor, incorrectly selected instruments or correction method, 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 both advantages and disadvantages.Deciding to carry out this procedure or not is everyone’s business.In some cases, it helps 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.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 cope with retinal diseases.To do this, doctors achieve its complete adherence 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 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): 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 – surgery to restore vision

Surgical ophthalmological 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 (cataracts, 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 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 confidently, while a doctor from a private clinic may have more conditions for successful work (modern equipment).Some doctors work simultaneously in both 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.