Today, the problem of visual impairment (rapid development of various ophthalmological diseases) among 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, 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 diseases that were previously difficult to treat can now be eliminated with virtually no consequences or complications.
Laser vision correction
Laser vision correction is not only an opportunity to abandon glasses and contact lenses, but also the only effective and safe way to preserve the vision of older people.
The 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 get rid of optics.In some cases, laser correction cannot be avoided (this applies to diseases leading to blindness).
- Painless.Before the start of the procedure, an anesthetic is instilled into the patient's organ of vision, so the maximum that the patient can experience is slight discomfort at certain stages of the surgical procedure.
- Non-duration.The procedure itself takes a few minutes, with most of the time spent preparing for it.
- Short recovery period.In this case, it is not necessary to register with a hospital.The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis and the patient can then return home.
- Stability and predictability.The doctor almost always knows how effective the operation will be before it is even performed.The result lasts a long time (an exception may be the patient's progressive myopia).
The choice of specialist and place of operation always rests with 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 taking the time to search for information and clarify all questions of interest in advance.
Operation types
There are several correction methods.Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.List of laser correction types:
- 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.In addition, vision does not return immediately after the intervention, 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 keratomileusia (LASIK).Currently, this is the safest and most effective method of vision correction.The recovery period is short, vision improves in the first hours after surgery.
Femtosecond LKZ (Femto-LASIK) is one of the modifications of the LASIK method, which allows you 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 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):
- hyperopia;
- astigmatism;
- myopia.
Professional indications (specialties where the wearing of lenses or glasses is not recommended):
- firefighters;
- police officers;
- 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.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 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 persons under 18 years of age.This is due to physiological characteristics (not fully formed eyeball).
Preparing for laser correction
When surgery to restore vision is already 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 to be carried out before the intervention:
- general blood test;
- general urine analysis;
- HIV test;
- syphilis test;
- 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 containing alcohol;
- put yourself in order before the procedure;
- breakfast on the day of the appointed date should be light;
- You should not put makeup on your face or perfume your body before surgery;
- you need to 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 take with you a loved one 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 because the success of the procedure and the final result depend on it.
How does the procedure take place?
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:
- First step.A laser or microkeratome creates a flap on the surface of the cornea and moves it to the side.
- Second step.The shape of the cornea is changed by a laser beam (it must correspond to the individual parameters of the patient).
- Third step.The flap is returned to its original position and healed.
Many people have heard that patients have their eyes closed during surgery.Sometimes 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 useless.
Postoperative period
The postoperative period unfolds differently for everyone.But after laser correction by LASIK, the patient feels an improvement from the first days and does not experience much discomfort.
After the operation, it is necessary to clarify all possible complications again, ask questions of concern and listen to the main recommendations 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;
- it is obligatory to consult an ophthalmologist on the prescribed dates;
- after the operation, it is necessary to wear sunglasses outdoors (they protect against dust, infections and small particles entering the eyes);
- Do not touch the operated area with your hands;
- prescribed medications must be used strictly at the specified time and quantity;
- It is best not to wash your hair in the first days after surgery;
- You can only wash with purified or boiled water;
- for a while you should stop using skin care and decorative cosmetics;
- it is important to moderate physical activity for a while (the doctor must inform you about the end of 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 fatigue (refusal to read, watch television, prolonged use of phones and tablets);
- It is strictly prohibited to drive a car during the postoperative period;
- If it becomes painful or significant discomfort is felt, you should consult a specialist.
There are also some dietary recommendations.Since laser correction remains a surgical procedure, and therefore a certain stress on the body, you have 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:
- 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 forbidden to drink alcohol and it is advisable to stop smoking.If your health deteriorates sharply in the first weeks after surgery and additional medications are required, 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 dangers, there are situations where complications still arise and lead to not entirely pleasant consequences.The ophthalmologist must mention this during the appointment and the patient, agreeing to have the operation, must be prepared for possible risks.
List of possible complications that may occur 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 method of correction, 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 whether or not to carry out this procedure is everyone’s business.In some cases, this helps improve quality of life (allows you to walk without glasses or contact lenses), and sometimes prevents total blindness.
Surgical operations
Despite the great popularity of laser correction, there are situations in which other microsurgical operations simply cannot be performed.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 treat retinal diseases.To do this, doctors achieve its complete adhesion to the tissues (subject) or remove scars and tissues with signs of pathological changes in 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 (thanks to this procedure, the functions and shape of the cornea are restored);
- scleroplasty (an operation that helps stop progressive myopia);
- lens implantation (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).
The ophthalmic surgical procedure 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 does not make it possible to deal with a serious ophthalmological disease (cataract, glaucoma, etc.).Therefore, if the doctor insists on a surgical method of combating the disease, you should trust him.
Treatment of eye diseases is rarely cheap, and this is not due to doctors' desire to make as much money as possible.This is due to the high cost of materials and equipment used for processing.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 a private and public clinic, so you do not need to focus too much on the price of services.It is much more important to have positive reviews and recommendations.