Poor eyesight 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 eye pathologies, the main of which is eye surgery.Let's learn more about the methods of operations and their main characteristics.
To do or not
There is an opinion that modern eye operations are guaranteed to be safe, as they are performed as quickly, easily and painlessly as possible.
However, the apparent simplicity of such interventions is deceptive, as even any cosmetic surgery is a risk.
Most often, ophthalmologists offer surgery to correct such very common eye diseases as:
- cataract;
- myopia;
- farsightedness.
Before the patient makes a decision, he should know all the pros and cons of the operation.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 the refraction of the eye (with different degrees of myopia in the right and left eye) that cannot be corrected with glasses: neither eye can tolerate glasses with a difference of more than 2.5 diopters.
The desire of patients to improve vision is permissible if there are no direct contraindications for surgical interventions.
After all, higher visual acuity allows you to live a better quality of life.By restoring 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.
You should especially carefully approach the issue of eye surgery in childhood.The child cannot yet make the right decision alone, and instead all possible risks of such an intervention must be assessed by adults.
Types of eye surgery
There are many types of eye surgery.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 severe eye pathologies such as retinal detachment or rupture.When the cataract progresses, surgical interventions are used on the lens, replacing it with an artificial one.Sometimes ophthalmologists are forced to remove the contents of the eyeball or cornea during purulent inflammation (panophthalmitis).On the vitreous, intervention is indicated if it is damaged or if there is blood (haemophthalmus).In this case, vitrectomy - removal of the vitreous body - is suggested.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 about half an hour.This involves inserting a flap of sclera-reinforcing material into the eyeball.For this purpose, silicone, biological material or tissue from the patient himself is used.Subsequently, the valve is "joined" with the outer membrane of the eye, and further growth of blood vessels into it occurs.
Scleroplasty can be of several 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 from the eye.
This complex intervention must be performed by a highly qualified surgeon using high-tech equipment.
Indications for such treatment are:
- eye injury;
- hemorrhage in the cavity of the vitreous body;
- opacification of the vitreous;
- retinal tear or detachment.
Vitrectomy is performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia.Usually 2-3 hours are enough for this.After fixing the eye with an eyelid expander, a microincision is made in it.Then, with the help of special miniature instruments, the vitreous body is removed and an artificial lens is placed in its place.Also, a special liquid or silicone substitute is used as a substitute for the vitreous body.
However, such an 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 painkillers are administered in the form of drops.There is no blood loss in this type of surgery.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 in the eye stick together.The efficiency of this operation is high (up to 70%).The next day the patient can go home.
Indications for surgery are:
- pathology of the retina (detachment, dystrophy, vascular pathology);
- eye tumors;
- central vein thrombosis.
Strabismus correction
Most often, this intervention is done in childhood (from 2 to 5 years).Sometimes the operation is also performed in adults if the strabismus is acquired or cannot be treated previously.The operation for strabismus lasts up to 30 minutes and consists in 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.
There are two types of surgery for this pathology:
- strengthening: if the eye muscle needs to be stretched;
- relaxing: if the eye muscle needs to relax.
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.
Indications for this correction are:
- impaired mobility (paralysis or paresis) of the extraocular muscles;
- any degree of strabismus.
Networking
Cross-linking refers to corneal surgeries for pathologies.This is done to strengthen and strengthen the connections of the corneal tissue.
This intervention is performed under local anesthesia.In this case, part of the cornea is cut away, 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 for 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 ineffective medical treatment of glaucoma.
Laser operations without a knife are mostly used in modern clinics, as they are low-traumatic, painless and have minimal complications.
This uses a laser beam to create a hole to remove excess fluid from the eye.In open-angle form, a non-penetrating 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 together with the capsule (or without it) with an artificial lens.
The most modern method for cataracts is to remove the clouded lens with laser or ultrasound.
An artificial lens is inserted to replace the damaged one.The operation is painless and takes about 15 minutes.
Such cataract interventions are usually performed when conservative treatment is ineffective or in progressive types of cataract (posterior capsular).More often, mature cataracts are treated surgically.
Postoperative mode lasts about 1.5 months.It is especially important for the implantation of the lens and the prevention of its rejection (restriction of weight lifting, elimination of thermal procedures, etc.)
Laser vision correction
This is the most popular type of ophthalmic intervention to improve visual acuity.Its efficiency is unique – almost 99%.
Laser correction is performed at:
- farsightedness:
- myopia;
- astigmatism.
This operation is performed under local anesthesia.The corneal layer is then ground with a laser to the desired level.
Although this operation has many fans, it has many contraindications:
- eye pathologies (cataract, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, etc.);
- progression of the patient's myopia (diabetes mellitus, herpes, neurodermatitis, thyroid gland problems, etc.)
The main methods of laser correction are LASIK and PRK, as well as many variations of these methods.
The LASIK method is particularly preferred by ophthalmologists due to its short postoperative period and painlessness.
This surgery takes about 20 minutes for both eyes using local anesthesia.
The inconvenience for the patient is that in the post-operative stage he encounters "corneal syndrome".
This is a condition in which the following symptoms are observed:
- photophobia;
- pain, cutting;
- lacrimation.
Medicines (analgesics, steroids) help to cope with such manifestations.The postoperative period includes a number of restrictions (visiting saunas and baths, limiting alcohol, avoiding heavy lifting, abstaining from pregnancy for one year).
Rehabilitation after surgery
After any surgical intervention, the most important stage is the postoperative period.
If you do not follow the prescribed regime, the consequences can be quite tragic.Let's look at the main recommendations that are important for the patient to follow after any such operation:
- In the first days after the operation, it is forbidden to rub your eyes with your hands, and washing your face should be replaced by wiping with a tampon with boiled water.You will be able to use face soap after a month.
- A blindfold or goggles are required when going outside to prevent dust particles from getting into the eyes.
- You can only wash your hair without shampoo on your face.
- A week after the operation, it is forbidden to read, drive a car and watch TV.
- For a quick recovery of vision, the use of blueberry preparations is recommended.
- When outdoors, it is important to use tinted lenses (for UV protection) for 2-4 weeks.
- The use of decorative cosmetics for the eyes 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 in the first three months after the intervention.
- Usually, the doctor appoints consultations 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation.
- You can start work after surgery only after full recovery 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, as well as 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 membranes of the eye;
- clouding of the cornea;
- 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 choose to undergo surgical treatment for eye diseases and subsequently get excellent results.It is important to carefully choose a clinic for treatment and contact only real professionals in order to minimize the inconvenience during eye surgery.