Poor vision not only pushes a person out of his usual circle, but also prevents him from living fully and doing what he loves.Modern ophthalmology is constantly offering new methods of treating eye pathologies, the main one being eye surgery.Let's learn more about the methods of operation and their main features.
To do or not
There is an opinion that modern eye surgeries are guaranteed to be safe, because they are performed as quickly, easily and painlessly as possible.
However, the apparent simplicity of such procedures is deceptive, since even all cosmetic surgery carries a risk.
Most often, ophthalmologists offer surgery to correct very common eye diseases such as:
- cataract;
- myopia;
- presbyopia.
Before the patient makes a decision, he must know all the pros and cons of the surgery.There are clear indications for which eye surgery is necessary.Such interventions are carried out in the following cases:
- professional need for the best possible vision (military, professional athlete, actor, etc.);
- a noticeable difference in eye refraction (with varying degrees of myopia in the right and left eyes), which cannot be corrected by glasses: neither eye can tolerate glasses with a difference greater than 2.5 diopters.
The desire of patients to improve their vision is acceptable if there are no direct contraindications to surgical interventions.
After all, higher visual acuity allows you to experience a better quality of life.After restoring vision, a person can learn new skills: for example, driving a car or mastering a computer after replacing a lens for cataracts.Women often decide to have eye surgery for aesthetic reasons, dreaming of getting rid of their glasses.
You should approach the issue of eye surgery in childhood with special attention.The child is not yet capable of making the right decision himself and all possible risks of such intervention must be assessed by adults.
Types of eye surgeries
There are many types of eye surgeries.For example, eye surgery eliminates many ocular abnormalities (myopia, lens opacity).Nowadays, patients are often offered surgical treatment with laser or ultrasound for severe eye pathologies such as retinal detachment or breakage.Surgical interventions on the lens, replacing it with an artificial lens, are used in the progression of cataracts.Sometimes ophthalmologists are forced to remove the contents of the eyeball or cornea during purulent inflammation (panophthalmitis).On the vitreous body, intervention is indicated if it is damaged or if there is blood (hemophthalmitis).In this case, vitrectomy is proposed - removal of the vitreous body.What types of eye surgical procedures are used in modern ophthalmology?
Let's take a closer look at the main methods of eye surgery.
Scleroplasty
This procedure is carried out to strengthen the membrane of the eyeball.
Scleroplasty can stop the progression of myopia, but it cannot restore vision.
The operation takes place under local anesthesia and lasts approximately half an hour.This involves inserting a flap of material reinforcing the sclera into the eyeball.For this purpose, silicone, biological material or tissues from the patient himself are used.Subsequently, the flap “mates” with the outer membrane of the eye and the blood vessels develop further.
Scleroplasty can be of several degrees of complexity (depending on the severity of the pathology): simple, simplified or complex.
A contraindication to scleroplasty is the patient's allergic reaction to the material used.
Vitrectomy
During a vitrectomy, the surgeon is required to remove (partially or completely) the vitreous body from the eye.
This complex procedure must be performed by a highly qualified surgeon using high-tech equipment.
The indications for such treatment are:
- eye injury;
- hemorrhage in the vitreous cavity;
- vitreous opacification;
- retinal breakage or detachment.
Vitrectomy is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.Usually 2-3 hours is enough.After fixing the eye with an eyelid dilator, a microincision is made there.Then, using special miniature instruments, the vitreous body is removed and an artificial lens is inserted in its place.Additionally, a special liquid or silicone substitute is used to replace the vitreous body.
However, such an intervention may be contraindicated in certain conditions.These are :
- pregnancy;
- blood diseases;
- high degree of corneal opacity.
Laser coagulation of the retina
Laser photocoagulation of the retina is carried out on an outpatient basis using a laser.The procedure only lasts about twenty minutes and the pain relief is applied in the form of drops.There is no blood loss with this type of operation.A lens is placed over the eye through which the laser is directed.At the same time, due to the high temperature, the torn vessels or tissues of the eye are stuck together.The efficiency of this operation is high (up to 70%).The patient is allowed to go home the next day.
The surgical indications are:
- retinal pathology (detachment, dystrophy, vascular pathology);
- eye tumors;
- Central vein thrombosis.
Strabismus correction
Most often this intervention is done in childhood (2 to 5 years old).Sometimes the operation is also performed on adults if strabismus is acquired or it could not be treated previously.Strabismus surgery lasts up to 30 minutes and involves restoring the normal position of the eyeball.At the same time, the aesthetic problem of the patient's appearance is solved and vision is restored.
For this pathology, there are two types of surgery:
- strengthening: if the eye muscle needs to be stretched;
- relaxing: if the eye muscle needs to be relaxed.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia using an eyelid dilator.Usually, the patient is discharged the day of surgery and recovers within a week.
The indications for this correction are:
- reduced mobility (paralysis or paresis) of the extraocular muscles;
- any degree of strabismus.
Crosslinking
Crosslinking refers to operations on the ocular cornea for pathologies.This is done to strengthen and strengthen the corneal tissue ligaments.
This procedure is performed under local anesthesia.In this case, part of the cornea is cut off and the eye itself is irradiated to thicken the corneal layer.A protective lens is then placed over the eye.After 2-3 days the patient is discharged.Usually, the effect of the operation lasts 10 years.
A similar operation is performed when:
- degenerative-dystrophic processes of the cornea;
- bulging areas of the cornea;
- keratoconus.
Eye surgery to treat glaucoma
This eye surgery is indicated in the ineffective drug treatment of glaucoma.
Modern clinics mainly use laser knifeless operations, as they are low-traumatic, painless and have a minimum of complications.
This uses a laser beam to create a hole to remove excess fluid from the eye.For the open-angle form, a non-penetrating deep sclerectomy is used.In this case, the corneal layer is artificially thinned to lower intraocular pressure.
The risk of complications with this procedure is minimal.However, the therapeutic effect of such an operation may decrease over time.
Cataract removal
This is one of the most common operations.In this case, methods are used to completely remove the lens and replace it, with the capsule (or without it), with an artificial lens.
The most modern method for cataracts is the removal of the clouded lens using a laser or ultrasound.
An artificial lens is inserted to replace the damaged one.The operation goes smoothly and takes around 15 minutes.
Such cataract procedures are usually performed when conservative treatment is ineffective or for progressive (posterior capsular) types of cataracts.Most often, mature cataracts are treated surgically.
The postoperative diet lasts approximately 1.5 months.It is particularly important for the engraftment of the lens and the prevention of its rejection (limitation of heavy carrying, elimination of thermal procedures, etc.)
Laser vision correction
This is the most popular type of ophthalmic procedure to improve visual acuity.Its effectiveness is unique - almost 99%.
Laser correction is carried out for:
- hyperopia:
- myopia;
- astigmatism.
This operation is performed under local anesthesia.Then the corneal layer is laser ground to the desired level.
Although this operation has many fans, it has many contraindications:
- eye pathologies (cataracts, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, etc.);
- progression of the patient's myopia (diabetes mellitus, herpes, neurodermatitis, thyroid problems, etc.)
The main laser correction methods are LASIK and PRK, as well as many varieties of these methods.
The LASIK method is particularly preferred by ophthalmologists due to its short postoperative period and painlessness.
This operation lasts approximately 20 minutes for both eyes, under local anesthesia.
The disadvantage for the patient is that in the postoperative stage he is faced with “corneal syndrome”.
This is a condition in which the following symptoms are observed:
- photophobia;
- pain, cutting;
- tearing.
Medications (painkillers, steroids) help to cope with such manifestations.The postoperative period includes a number of restrictions (visiting saunas and baths, limiting alcohol, avoiding lifting heavy objects, abstaining from pregnancy for a year).
Rehabilitation after surgery
After any surgical procedure, the most important stage is the postoperative period.
If you don't follow the prescribed diet, the consequences can be quite tragic.Let's consider the basic recommendations that it is important for the patient to follow after such an operation:
- In the first days after surgery, it is forbidden to rub your eyes with your hands, and washing your face should be replaced by wiping with a tampon dipped in boiled water.You can use facial soap after a month.
- When you go out, a headband or protective glasses are necessary to prevent dust particles from entering your eyes.
- You can wash your hair only without putting shampoo on your face.
- For a week after the operation, it is forbidden to read, drive a car or watch television.
- It is recommended to use preparations based on blueberries to quickly restore vision.
- Outdoors, it is important to use tinted lenses (for UV protection) for 2 to 4 weeks.
- The use of decorative cosmetics for the eyes is allowed no earlier than a month after the operation, since the penetration of cosmetic particles is extremely undesirable.
- Doctors do not recommend getting pregnant during the first three months after the procedure.
- Generally, the doctor schedules consultations 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgical procedure.
- You can start working after surgery only after complete restoration of vision (usually after 2-3 weeks).At the same time, it is important to avoid excessive eye fatigue (secretaries, accountants, programmers, etc.)
- During the year, you should not sunbathe, have contact with pets or children, or actively play sports (to avoid corneal injuries).
Complications
Regardless of the type, complications are possible after any eye surgery.These complications can be:
- lens shift;
- seam divergence;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- retinal detachment;
- blurred vision;
- inflammation of the membranes of the eye;
- corneal clouding;
- vitreous hemorrhage;
- secondary cataract.
Complications after surgery require serious and expensive treatment.You should not take eye surgery lightly, especially if you can do without it.
Most people still decide to undergo surgical treatment of eye diseases and then achieve excellent results.It is important to choose a treatment clinic carefully and contact only real professionals in order to minimize problems during eye surgery.