How well a person sees depends on the shape of the cornea. The cornea is a transparent shell of the eyeball that covers the iris, pupil and front of the eye. In nearsighted people, the cornea is too round, while in people with farsightedness it is flat. When someone is diagnosed with astigmatism, it means that his cornea is irregular in shape. There are various refractive surgery procedures that can correct these defects.
Until recently, glasses and contact lenses were the only methods for correcting poor vision. The reasons for its deterioration are many: someone likes to read a lot, others spend a long time in front of the TV, use various gadgets, and some of them have poor eyesight inherited. Professional athletes, law enforcement officials and those involved in highly effective activities consider life without lenses and glasses to be a gift that they should have made to themselves many years ago.
More and more people are choosing laser vision correction for the treatment of moderate or severe forms of refractive errors. The number of high results of the operation is 96%. After laser surgery, people get rid of the need to wear glasses or use contact lenses. In recent years, the treatment of eye diseases with laser radiation has advanced significantly.
Laser vision correction (refractive surgery) is a term that is given to surgical procedures designed to correct certain vision problems, such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. An excimer laser is used during these procedures . With its help, the shape of the cornea is changed, which helps to improve the clarity of vision. After the procedure, most patients will be able to drive a car, read books, watch TV or do their favorite thing without glasses or contact lenses.
Doctors annually carry out a large number of eye correction procedures using the most advanced methods and technologies available today. How laser vision correction takes place can be found in our article. This is described below.
Preparation for the procedure
Before laser vision correction, patients undergo a thorough screening with a comprehensive examination of the eyes. This preparation is necessary to eliminate contraindications for refractive surgery. Based on the examination, the doctor determines which laser vision correction is suitable for a particular patient. It is also necessary to conduct some blood tests, urine tests, fluorography. During a consultation with an ophthalmologist, you can get additional information, answers to questions, as well as find out how laser vision correction works. It should be remembered that before the operation, it is necessary to abandon the use of contact lenses for 2-4 weeks.
Classification
Today, the following methods of laser surgery exist:
1. PRK (PRK).
2. "LASIK" (LASIK).
3. "Femto Lasik" (Femto LASIK).
4. "Super LASIK" (Super LASIK).
5. "Epi LASIK" (Epi LASIK).
6. Lasek (LASEK).
7. "Smile" (SMILE ReLex).
PRK Method
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an excimer laser procedure for correcting vision in patients with a thin cornea. It is an alternative to the operation performed using the Lasik technology.
Indications for the procedure are:
- myopia,
- farsightedness,
- astigmatism.
There are also contraindications to the operation of laser vision correction by PRK, they include:
- age under 18 years;
- the presence of eye diseases, for example, keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts, inflammatory diseases;
- period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- progressive diabetes mellitus and other somatic diseases;
- mental disorders;
- oncological diseases.
How is laser vision correction using PRK technology? In this case, only a laser is used for the operation. The use of a scalpel, needles and any other piercing and cutting objects is not necessary.
Lasik Method
Lasik Laser Vision correction (laser keratomileusis) is the latest form of laser eye surgery. The procedure is one of the most revolutionary vision care in recent decades. Using this method of laser correction, the refractive power is increased. Due to this, it becomes easier for the eyes to focus on objects that are close or far away.
Lasik is one of the most popular and affordable operations. The result of the procedure is an improvement in visual acuity in patients suffering from myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
The following contraindications exist for laser correction using the Lasik method.
1. Age. The operation is performed for patients over 18 years of age.
2. Deterioration of visual acuity over the past year.
3. Eye diseases, such as glaucoma or cataracts.
4. Retinal detachment surgery.
5. Thinning of the cornea.
6. Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How is the Lasik laser vision correction operation ? An ophthalmologist surgeon separates a corneal flap with a scalpel. Next, a certain amount of corneal tissue is removed, then the flap returns to its place.
Femto Lasik Method
How does laser correction using Femto Lasik technology go? A combination of two lasers is used to create a corneal flap. A femtosecond laser creates a protective corneal flap, and an excimer laser allows you to correct both significant and the smallest refractive defects. Thus, there is an improvement in visual acuity.
Super Lasik Method
This laser vision correction method is also based on Lasik technology. The difference is the use of more modern equipment.
Epi Lasik Method
How does laser vision correction with the Epi Lasik method occur? This method is also a form of Lasik laser surgery. It is designed specifically for patients with corneal problems. Such problems, in particular corneal thinning, occur in people who have been using contact lenses for a long time. During laser correction using the “Epi Lasik” method, special equipment is used to separate a thin flap - epicateratum.
Lasek Method
How is the surgery for laser vision correction using the Lasek method? This technology is based on a combination of Lasik and PRK methods. Like photorefractive keratectomy, Lasek is a good alternative for people with thinner corneal tissue or patients who have previously undergone Lasik surgery. After vision correction, longer healing and recovery takes place than with other methods of laser surgery.
Smile Method
Smile technology is the newest, most expensive and safest. How does laser vision correction work? During the procedure, there is no need to create a corneal flap. Only a laser is required to operate. Recovery and rehabilitation after vision correction using the Smile method is much faster.
Indications for surgery
As a rule, the following diseases are the main indications for eye microsurgery:
- Myopia. Occurs when the cornea becomes too curved. This feature makes the light rays focus in front of the retina, which causes blurring of objects located at a far distance.
- Hyperopia appears when the cornea is too flat in relation to the length of the eye. In this case, the light is focused at a point behind the retina, which leads to blurred vision near.
- Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped like a soccer ball, that is, it is more curved in one direction than in the other. Light is focused at different points in the eye, which leads to blurred vision, bifurcation or curvature of objects.
Whatever the reason for laser vision correction, it is important to choose the right technology for the procedure. Many studies show that the results of the operation also depend on the experience of the surgeon.
Laser correction
How is laser vision correction "Lasik" or PRK? The principle of all types of laser eye surgery is simple: using microscopic points of thin laser light, the cornea is modified, which allows incoming light rays to accurately focus on the retina, giving the patient a new life without glasses.
What is the operation of laser vision correction? The following stages of refractive surgery are distinguished.
- For the procedure, a special anesthetic is used in the form of eye drops, so there are no painful sensations.
- Between the centuries, an expander is placed. It is necessary to keep the eye open. Then a special ring is placed that raises and aligns the cornea. It also blocks the motor activity of the eyeball. The patient may feel slight pressure from these devices. After installing the ring and before removing it, a person usually does not see anything.
- Next, a corneal flap is created using a scalpel, laser or automated equipment, depending on the technology of the operation. The flap lifts and leans back.
- Then, an excimer laser programmed using unique measurements of the patient’s eyes is located in the center above the eye. The surgeon checks that the laser is placed correctly.
- The patient looks at a special spotlight called fixation or target light, while an excimer laser removes corneal tissue.
- Then the surgeon sets the flap back to its original position and smooths the edges. The corneal flap adheres to the main tissue of the cornea within two or five minutes. No suturing is required.
After the procedure, the patient needs rest.
Recovery period
Immediately after surgery, patients usually experience pain and discomfort. Also, blurred vision, hypersensitivity to light can be observed for several days. To eliminate the symptoms, special eye drops are prescribed. They must be used within a few days. Functional vision usually returns within 24 hours.
The results of treatment can be regarded after a few weeks. However, most patients notice a significant improvement in vision during the first days.
In some cases, it may take three to six months after surgery to improve vision, complete stabilization and eliminate side effects.
As the postoperative period passes, it is necessary to abandon some activities that may disrupt the healing process. For example, swimming.
How does laser vision correction work? Reviews
Millions of people who have undergone laser surgery notice that their visual acuity, and with it the quality of life, has improved significantly. It takes about 5 minutes to correct the vision of one eye. Preparation takes more time directly in the operating room itself. For anesthesia, only local anesthesia in the form of eye drops is used. Literally in 30 minutes a person can look at the world in a new way.
Whether to do laser vision correction, everyone must decide for himself. Some do not see the inconvenience of using glasses or contact lenses.
Features
Laser eye surgery significantly improves the quality of life. Visual acuity makes people dependent on the constant use of glasses or contact lenses. Like any operation, laser correction has positive and negative aspects. Serious complications during or after the vision improvement procedure are extremely rare. Many of the risks associated with laser surgery can be reduced or eliminated by careful selection of patients, as well as preoperative testing using the latest diagnostic technologies.
Sometimes, reoperation may be required to achieve the desired vision correction. Such cases occur with high degrees of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Typically, this vision initially requires a more intensive correction. Approximately 10.5% of patients require additional treatment.
Potential risks and complications may include the following:
- infection;
- inflammation;
- visual impairment;
- blurry or blurry vision;
- low vision at night;
- scratches, dryness, and other symptoms of a condition called a dry eye;
- glare, flashes;
- photosensitivity;
- discomfort or pain;
- slight bruising on the whites of the eyes.
The advantages of laser vision correction, of course, are to increase visual acuity and improve the quality of life. The result of the procedure will depend on the nature and degree of violations, as well as on the quality of the work that the surgeon will perform. The vast majority of patients are extremely satisfied with the result of the operation. After laser surgery, they can engage in various activities without depending on corrective lenses or glasses.
The result of laser correction of visual defects is considered a permanent effect. However, the clarity of the image may change with age, as you get old. This may lead to the need to use glasses, contact lenses or perform additional eye correction procedures in the future.