Vision Correction surgery - Refraactive and Laser Eye Surgery
Surgery performed to repair vision issues is referred to as vision correction surgery, refractive surgery, or laser eye surgery. Huge improvements have been made in this field recently. Many individuals can now see better than ever thanks to laser and refractive eye surgery.
The transparent front surface of the eye, the cornea, is altered by the majority of vision correction surgeries. This enables light to pass through it and properly focus on the retina, which is the rear of the eye. The natural lens in your eye is replaced by other methods. surgical procedures include:
The laser in-situ keratomileusis procedure. It functions for those who are astigmatic, farsighted, or nearsighted. Your cornea's supporting tissue is reshaped by the doctor so that light can focus properly. In order to access the tissue below, she also creates a flap in the cornea's outer layer. What distinguishes LASIK from other surgeries is the flap. In order to build a precise image of your cornea that she may use as a guide, the doctor might also employ a type of computer imaging known as wavefront technology.
The procedure known as PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is used to treat mild to moderate astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness. A surgeon reshapes your cornea with a laser, similar to LASIK. Yet, it doesn't harm the tissue behind the cornea—only the top layer. The cornea may also be imaged on a computer by your doctor.
Similar to PRK is LASEK, also known as laser epithelial keratomileusis. The physician makes a flap. She will reshape your cornea with a laser after loosening the tissue with an alcohol solution. After that, she will secure the flap with a soft contact lens so that your eye can heal. Astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness can all be treated with it.
A refractive lens exchange is referred to as RLE. Alternative names for this procedure include PRELEX, clear lens extraction, clear lens exchange, and refractive lens replacement (RLR). It is analogous to cataract surgery. Your cornea's edge receives a little cut from the ophthalmologist. Your natural lens is removed, and a silicone or plastic lens is put in its stead. Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness can be treated with it. For those with thin corneas, dry eyes, or other minor corneal issues, it works nicely. RLE can be used in conjunction with LASIK or LASIK-related surgery to treat astigmatism.
Epi-LASEK: After making a tiny flap in your cornea, the doctor will use an alcohol solution to help scrape away a thin layer of corneal tissue. She uses a laser to sculpt it. A soft contact lens keeps the flap in place while healing and protects the area.
Epi-LASIK: The surgeon uses a laser to remodel a small layer of tissue from your cornea. A soft contact lens keeps the flap in place while healing and protects the area.
Presbyopia, or the lack of eye flexibility, is treated using a treatment called presbyopic lens exchange, or PRELEX. Your lens is taken out and replaced with a multifocal lens by the doctor.
Intacs, sometimes referred to as ICR (intracorneal ring segments). Your cornea is lightly punctured by the doctor, who then adheres two crescent-shaped plastic rings to the outside. Your cornea becomes flatter due to the rings, which also alters how light beams focus on your retina. Nearsightedness was previously treated with ICR, but laser-based techniques have since taken its place. It is now used to treat keratoconus, an irregularly shaped cornea that thins your cornea and impairs your vision.
For those who are too nearsighted for LASIK and PRK, phakic intraocular lens implants are available. The implant lens is either attached to your iris or inserted behind your pupil after the doctor creates a little incision at the edge of your cornea. Your natural lens is fixed, unlike RLE.
The abbreviation for astigmatic keratotomy is AK or LRI. It is a surgical treatment performed to treat astigmatism, not laser eye surgery. When you have astigmatism, your eye is not spherical; rather, it is shaped like a football. At the steepest point of your cornea, the doctor makes one or two incisions. It becomes more rounded and relaxed as a result. This technique can be combined with other laser eye operations, such :ts
Radial keratotomy, sometimes known as RK, was originally a popular procedure for treating nearsightedness. It is now hardly ever utilized, though, as more successful laser eye treatments like LASIK and PRK have emerged.
Are These Procedures Safe and Successful?
Although their positive outcomes are well-documented, there is always a chance of complications. You should keep them in mind.
infection and a slow healing process. After PRK or LASIK, a very small percentage of patients develop an infection. In most cases, it results in more discomfort and a slower healing time.
Whether to overcorrect or undercorrect. Once your eye has healed adequately, you won't be able to tell how well the surgery was a success. You can still require contacts or glasses. A second laser procedure called laser enhancement may be helpful if your vision isn't very good.
If your vision isn’t great, a second laser surgery, called laser enhancement, can help.
poorer vision Rarely, but occasionally, patients report worse post-operative outcomes. The usual offenders are excessive corneal haze or irregular tissue loss.
more corneal haze. This is a normal aspect of recovery from some laser or refractive eye surgery. It can only be detected during an eye test and normally has no impact on your eyesight afterward. It can occasionally impair your vision. One or more procedures may be required. LASIK causes less corneal haze than PRK does. Moreover, it can be avoided by using the drug mitomycin during PRK surgery.
Regression. The effects of surgery might sometimes fade over the course of several months or years. To enhance your vision, you might require a second operation.
Halo impact. This occurs in low light, which can make it challenging to drive or see in dimly lit areas. The untreated region outside your cornea creates a second image as your pupil expands. It may occur following PRK or LASIK. It can be less likely by using wavefront technology or laser optical zones, which build a 3-D model of your eye for more accurate surgery.
Flap loss or damage Your cornea's center is left with a hinged flap after LASIK surgery. During the first few days following surgery or following a serious direct injury to your eye, it might need to be realigned.
