Poor vision not only takes a person out of his usual circle, but also prevents him from living a full life and doing what he loves.Modern ophthalmology constantly offers new methods for the treatment of ocular pathologies, the main one being eye surgery.Let's learn more about trading methods and their main features.
do or not
There is an opinion that modern eye surgeries are safe, as they are performed as quickly, easily and painlessly as possible.
However, the apparent simplicity of this type of intervention is deceptive, since even any cosmetic surgery poses a risk.
Most often, ophthalmologists offer surgery to correct such common eye diseases as:
- cataract;
- myopia;
- farsightedness.
Before the patient makes a decision, he or she must know all the pros and cons of surgery.There are clear indications why eye surgery is necessary.These interventions are carried out in the following cases:
- professional need for the best possible vision (military, professional athlete, actor, etc.);
- a noticeable difference in the refraction of the eye (with different degrees of myopia in the right and left eyes), which cannot be corrected with glasses: no eye can tolerate glasses with a difference of more than 2.5 diopters.
Patients' desire to improve vision is acceptable if there are no direct contraindications to surgical interventions.
After all, greater visual acuity allows for a better quality of life.By recovering vision, a person can learn new skills: for example, driving a car or mastering a computer after replacing a cataract lens.Women often decide to undergo eye surgery for aesthetic reasons, dreaming of getting rid of glasses.
The topic of eye surgery in childhood must be approached with special attention.The child is not yet capable of making the right decision for himself, and instead, adults must evaluate all the possible risks of such an intervention.
Types of eye surgeries
There are many types of ophthalmic surgeries.For example, eye surgery eliminates many eye defects (myopia, clouding of the lens).Nowadays, patients are often offered surgical treatment with laser or ultrasound for serious eye pathologies such as retinal detachment or tear.Surgical interventions on the lens, replacing it with an artificial one, are used in the progression of cataracts.Sometimes ophthalmologists are forced to remove the contents of the eyeball or cornea during purulent inflammation (panophthalmitis).Intervention is indicated in the vitreous body if it is damaged or if there is blood (hemophthalmos).In this case, vitrectomy is proposed: removal of the vitreous body.What types of eye surgical interventions are used in modern ophthalmology?
Let's take a closer look at the main methods of eye surgery.
Scleroplasty
This intervention is performed to strengthen the membrane of the eyeball.
Scleroplasty can stop the progression of myopia, but it cannot restore vision.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts approximately half an hour.It involves inserting a flap of scleral reinforcement material into the eyeball.For this, silicone, biological material or the patient's own tissue is used.Subsequently, the flap “docks” with the outer membrane of the eye and further growth of blood vessels occurs in it.
Scleroplasty can have various degrees of complexity (depending on the severity of the pathology): simple, simplified or complex.
A contraindication for scleroplasty is the patient's allergic reaction to the material used.
Vitrectomy
During a vitrectomy, the surgeon is forced to remove (partially or completely) the vitreous humor from the eye.
This complex intervention must be performed by a highly qualified surgeon using high-tech equipment.
The indications for said treatment are:
- eye injury;
- hemorrhage in the vitreous cavity;
- vitreous opacification;
- retinal break or detachment.
Vitrectomy is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.Usually 2-3 hours are enough for this.After fixing the eye with an eyelid dilator, a microincision is made in it.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 as a vitreous substitute.
However, such intervention may be contraindicated in some conditions.They are:
- pregnancy;
- blood diseases;
- High degree of corneal opacity.
Laser coagulation of the retina.
Laser photocoagulation of the retina is performed on an outpatient basis using a laser.The intervention lasts only about 20 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 high temperature, the torn vessels or tissues of the eye stick together.The effectiveness of this operation is high (up to 70%).The next day the patient is allowed to return home.
The indications for surgery are:
- retinal pathology (detachment, dystrophy, vascular pathology);
- eye tumors;
- Thrombosis of the central vein.
Strabismus correction
Most of the time this intervention is carried out in childhood (from 2 to 5 years).Sometimes the operation is also performed in adults if the strabismus is acquired or has not been previously treated.Strabismus surgery lasts up to 30 minutes and consists of 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 necessary, stretch the eye muscle;
- relaxing: if necessary, relax the eye muscle.
The intervention is performed under local anesthesia using an eyelid dilator.The patient is usually discharged on 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.
Reticulation
Reticulation refers to operations on the ocular cornea for pathologies.This is done to strengthen and strengthen the ligaments of the corneal tissue.
This intervention is performed under local anesthesia.In this case, part of the cornea is cut and the eye is irradiated to thicken the corneal layer.A protective lens is then placed over the eye.After 2-3 days the patient is discharged.Normally 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 for the ineffective pharmacological treatment of glaucoma.
Modern clinics mainly use scalpel-free laser operations, since they are low-traumatic, painless and have a minimum of complications.
It uses a laser beam to create a hole to remove excess fluid from the eye.For the open-angle form, nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy is used.In this case, the corneal layer is artificially thinned to reduce intraocular pressure.
The risk of complications with this intervention 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, along with the capsule (or without it), with an artificial lens.
The most modern method for cataracts is the removal of cloudy lenses using laser or ultrasound.
An artificial lens is inserted to replace the damaged one.The operation is perfect and lasts about 15 minutes.
These types of cataract interventions are usually performed when conservative treatment is ineffective or for progressive types of cataracts (posterior capsular).Most often, mature cataracts are treated surgically.
The postoperative regimen lasts approximately 1.5 months.It is especially important for lens grafting and prevention of lens rejection (limiting heavy lifting, eliminating thermal procedures, etc.)
Laser vision correction
This is the most popular type of ophthalmic intervention to improve visual acuity.Its effectiveness is unique: almost 99%.
Laser correction is performed to:
- farsightedness:
- myopia;
- astigmatism.
This operation is performed under local anesthesia.The corneal layer is then polished with a laser to the desired level.
Although this operation has many followers, it has many contraindications:
- ocular pathologies (cataracts, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, etc.);
- progression of the patient's myopia (diabetes mellitus, herpes, neurodermatitis, thyroid problems, etc.)
The main methods of laser correction are LASIK and PRK, as well as many varieties of these methods.
The LASIK method is especially preferred by ophthalmologists due to its short postoperative period and painlessness.
This operation lasts about 20 minutes for both eyes and local anesthesia is used.
The inconvenience for the patient is that in the postoperative period he faces “corneal syndrome.”
This is a condition in which the following symptoms are observed:
- photophobia;
- pain, cut;
- tearing
Medications (pain relievers, steroids) help to cope with such manifestations.The postoperative period includes a number of restrictions (visiting saunas and baths, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding lifting heavy objects, abstaining from pregnancy for a year).
Rehabilitation after surgery.
After any surgical intervention, the most important stage is the postoperative period.
If the prescribed regimen is not followed, the consequences can be quite tragic.Let's consider the basic recommendations that it is important for the patient to follow after any operation of this type:
- In the first days after surgery, it is prohibited to rub your eyes with your hands, and washing your face should be replaced with a swab with boiled water.You can use facial soap after a month.
- When going out, it is necessary to wear a blindfold or protective glasses to prevent dust particles from entering your eyes.
- You can wash your hair alone without getting shampoo on your face.
- For a week after the operation, reading, driving or watching television is prohibited.
- It is recommended to use cranberry preparations to quickly restore vision.
- When outdoors, it is important to wear polarized glasses (for UV protection) for 2 to 4 weeks.
- The use of decorative eye cosmetics is allowed no earlier than a month after the operation, since the ingress of cosmetic particles is extremely undesirable.
- Doctors do not recommend getting pregnant during the first three months after the intervention.
- Typically, your doctor schedules visits 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
- You can start work after surgery only after complete restoration of vision (usually after 2-3 weeks).At the same time, it is important to avoid excessive eye strain (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.Such complications can be:
- lens shift;
- seam divergence;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- retinal detachment;
- blurred vision;
- inflammation of the eye membranes;
- corneal opacity;
- vitreous hemorrhage;
- secondary cataract.
Complications after surgery require serious and expensive treatment.You should not take any eye surgery lightly, especially if you can do without it.
Most people still decide to undergo surgical treatment of eye diseases and subsequently achieve excellent results.It is important to carefully choose a clinic for treatment and contact only real professionals to minimize problems during eye surgery.