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 serious.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 it.

Fortunately, science does not stand still and those diseases that were previously difficult to treat can now be eliminated with practically 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:

• 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 that cause blindness).
• Painless.Before starting the procedure, an anesthetic drug is instilled into the patient's organ of vision, so the most that the patient can feel is slight discomfort at certain stages of the surgical intervention.
• Not duration.The procedure itself lasts a few minutes, most of the time is spent preparing for it.
• Short recovery period.In this case, it is not necessary to register in a hospital.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and then the patient can go home.
• Stability and predictability.The doctor almost always knows the effectiveness of the operation even before performing it.The result lasts a long time (an exception may be the patient's progressive myopia).

The choice of the specialist and the place of the operation always remains in the hands of the patient.The price of the procedure and medical services in private clinics may vary.Its formation is influenced by many factors.Therefore, it is worth taking the time to search for information and clarify all issues 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 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 major disadvantage of the photorefractive keratectomy method is the long and unpleasant recovery period.Furthermore, vision does not return immediately after the procedure, but gradually;complications are possible.Therefore, it is used only when other more modern and effective methods are contraindicated.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).Unlike the previous method, during the operation the superficial layer of the cornea 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.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):

• farsightedness;
• astigmatism;
• myopia.

Professional indications (specialties where the use of lenses or glasses is not appropriate):

• 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.The 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;
• psychosis;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• the patient has heart problems (presence of a pacemaker);
• ophthalmological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
• scars on the cornea (shell);
• changes in the retina and fundus of the eye.

The operation is strictly prohibited for minors 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 to be performed before the procedure:

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

A list of recommendations that are very important to follow when entering 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 alcohol-containing medications;
• put yourself in order before the procedure;
• breakfast on the day of the designated date should be light;
• You should not apply makeup to your face or perfume to your body before surgery;
• you must purchase and wear sunglasses (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, help you get home and take care of the patient for the first time.

Compliance with 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 is the following:

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 using 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.

Many people have heard that patients' eyes are taped shut during surgery.There are times when the patient wakes up during the procedure and may be injured.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 develops differently for everyone.But after LASIK laser correction, the patient feels improvement in the first few days and does not feel much discomfort.

After surgery, it is necessary to once again clarify all possible complications, ask questions that concern you 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 mandatory to visit an ophthalmologist on the prescribed dates;
• after the operation, it is necessary to wear sunglasses outdoors (they protect against dust, infections 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 amount;
• It is best not to wash your hair the first few days after surgery;
• You can wash only with purified or boiled water;
• for some time it is advisable to stop using skin care products and decorative cosmetics;
• it is important to moderate physical activity for a while (the doctor should inform you about the end of restrictions at the post-examination appointment);
• you cannot visit saunas, swimming pools and other public places where you can get an infection;
• it is necessary to reduce eye fatigue (refuse to read, watch TV, use phones and tablets for a long time);
• It is strictly prohibited to drive a car during the postoperative period;
• If it becomes painful or you feel intense discomfort, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

There are also some dietary recommendations.Since laser correction is still a surgical intervention and therefore places a certain stress on the body, it is necessary to eat well.

As at any other time, food must be healthy and contain the necessary vitamins.To improve vision, it is recommended to consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C.

Suitable for this:

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

During the postoperative period, drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited and it is advisable to stop smoking.If your health deteriorates sharply in the first weeks after surgery and you need additional medications, you should tell 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 that have not entirely pleasant consequences.The ophthalmologist must mention it at the appointment and the patient, who agrees 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 duplicate;
• astigmatism develops.

These problems can arise for various reasons: lack of experience and professionalism of the doctor, incorrect 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:

• recurrence of ophthalmic diseases (short duration of therapeutic effect);
• dry eye syndrome;
• Pathological processes that affect the cornea (keratoconus, erosion, etc.).

The laser correction method has advantages and disadvantages.Deciding to carry out this procedure or not is everyone's business.In some cases, it 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 when other microsurgical operations simply cannot be done.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 crystalline lens.Microsurgery can also address retinal diseases.To do this, doctors achieve their complete adherence to the tissues (subject) or eliminate scars and tissues with signs of pathological changes of 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): hyperopia 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).

Ophthalmological surgical intervention can be cavitary or superficial.Laser correction is superficial, while cataract surgery is cavity 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 to combat the disease, then you should trust him.

Treatment of ophthalmic 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 the material and equipment used for the treatment.The eternal question also remains the decision of choosing a clinic: private or public.In this case it is difficult to guess.A doctor from a public clinic may have more experience and performs all procedures efficiently and safely, while a doctor from a private clinic may have more conditions for successful work (modern equipment).Some doctors work simultaneously in a public and private clinic, so there is no need to focus too much on the price of services.It is much more important to have positive reviews and recommendations.