Poor vision not only removes a person from 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 features.
To do or not to do
There is an opinion that modern eye surgeries will be safe because they are performed as quickly, easily and painlessly as possible.
However, the apparent simplicity of such interventions is deceptive, because even any aesthetic operation is risky.
Ophthalmologists often recommend surgery to correct common eye conditions such as:
- cataract;
- myopia;
- foresight.
Before making a decision, the patient should know all the pros and cons of the operation.There are clear indications of 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 refraction (with different degrees of myopia in the right and left eyes) cannot be corrected with glasses: no eye can tolerate glasses with a difference of more than 2.5 diopters.
In the absence of direct contraindications for surgical interventions, the desire of patients to improve vision is acceptable.
After all, higher visual acuity allows you to experience a better quality of life.After regaining vision, a person can learn new skills: for example, driving a car or mastering a computer after changing lenses for cataracts.Women often decide to undergo eye surgery for aesthetic reasons with the desire to get rid of glasses.
The issue of eye surgery in childhood should be approached with particular care.The child is not yet able to make the right decision on his own, and instead, all possible risks of such an intervention must be assessed by an adult.
Types of eye surgery
There are many types of ophthalmic surgeries.For example, eye surgery removes many eye defects (myopia, lens opacity).Nowadays, patients are often offered surgical treatment with laser or ultrasound for severe eye pathologies such as retinal detachment or tear.In the progression of cataract, surgical interventions on the lens, replacing it with an artificial one, are used.Sometimes ophthalmologists are forced to remove the contents of the eyeball or cornea during purulent inflammation (panophthalmitis).Intervention is indicated if the vitreous body is damaged or has blood (hemophthalmos).In this case, vitrectomy is suggested - removal of the vitreous body.What types of eye surgical interventions are used in modern ophthalmology?
Let's consider the main methods of eye surgery in more detail.
Scleroplasty
This intervention is done 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 cap of sclera-reinforcing material inside the eyeball.For this, silicone, biological material or tissue taken from the patient himself is used.Later, the lid "connects" with the outer membrane of the eye, and further growth of blood vessels takes place inside it.
Scleroplasty can be of several degrees of complexity (depending on the severity of the pathology): simple, simplified or complex.
Contraindication to scleroplasty is the patient's allergic reaction to the material used.
Vitrectomy
During vitrectomy, the surgeon is forced to remove the vitreous humor (partially or completely) from the eye.
This complex intervention must be performed by a highly qualified surgeon using high-tech equipment.
Indications for such treatment:
- eye damage;
- bleeding into the vitreous cavity;
- vitreous opacity;
- retinal tear or detachment.
Vitrectomy is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.Usually 2-3 hours are enough for this.After fixing the eyelid with a dilator, a micro-incision is made in it.Then, using 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 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 is administered in the form of pain-relieving drops.There is no blood loss in this type of operation.A lens is placed on the eye to direct the laser.At the same time, blood vessels or tissues torn in the eye due to high temperature are glued together.The efficiency of this operation is high (up to 70%).The patient is allowed to go home the next day.
Instructions for operation are:
- retina pathology (detachment, dystrophy, vascular pathology);
- eye tumors;
- central vein thrombosis.
Strabismus correction
Often this intervention is done in childhood (from 2 to 5 years).Sometimes, if strabismus is acquired or cannot be treated before, the operation is also performed in adults.Surgery for strabismus takes 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.
There are two types of surgery for this pathology:
- strengthen: if you need to stretch the eye muscle;
- relaxant: if you need to relax the eye muscle.
The intervention is performed with an eyelid dilator under local anesthesia.Usually, the patient is discharged home on the day of surgery and recovers within a week.
Instructions for this fix:
- motility disorders of extraocular muscles (paralysis or paresis);
- any degree of strabismus.
Cross-linking
Cross-linking refers to corneal operations for pathologies.This is done to strengthen and strengthen the ligaments of the corneal tissue.
This intervention is performed under local anesthesia.At this time, a part of the cornea is cut and the eye itself is irradiated to thicken the cornea.A protective lens is then placed over the eye.After 2-3 days, the patient is discharged home.Usually, the effect of the operation lasts for 10 years.
A similar operation is carried out in the following cases:
- degenerative-dystrophic processes of the cornea;
- bulging areas of the cornea;
- keratoconus.
Eye surgery to treat glaucoma
This eye surgery is indicated for ineffective drug treatment of glaucoma.
Modern clinics mainly use laser operations without knives, because they are less traumatic, painless and have minimal complications.
This uses a laser beam to create an opening to remove excess fluid from the eye.For the open-angle form, non-penetrating deep sclerectomy is used.In this case, the cornea is artificially thinned to lower the 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 of removing the lens completely and replacing it with an artificial lens with (or without) the capsule are used.
The most modern method for cataracts is to remove the cloudy lens using a laser or ultrasound.
An artificial lens is inserted to replace the damaged lens.The operation is painless and takes about 15 minutes.
Such interventions for cataracts are usually performed when conservative treatment is ineffective or in progressive types of cataracts (posterior capsule).More often, adult cataracts are treated surgically.
The postoperative regime lasts about 1.5 months.This is particularly the case for preventing lens wear and rejection (limiting heavy lifting, eliminating heat 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 for:
- foresight:
- myopia;
- astigmatism.
This operation is performed under local anesthesia.The corneal layer is then laser-ablated to the desired level.
Although this operation has many fans, it has many contraindications:
- eye pathologies (cataract, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, etc.);
- development of the patient's myopia (diabetes, herpes, neurodermatitis, thyroid problems, etc.)
The main methods of laser correction are LASIK and PRK, as well as many types 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 with local anesthesia for both eyes.
The concern for the patient is that he experiences "corneal syndrome" in the postoperative phase.
This is a condition where 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 loads, avoiding pregnancy for a year).
Rehabilitation after surgery
The most important stage after any surgical intervention is the postoperative period.
If you do not follow the prescribed regimen, the results can be quite tragic.Let's consider the main recommendations that the patient must follow after any operation:
- In the first days after the operation, it is forbidden to rub the eyes with your hands, and washing your face should be replaced by wiping with a tampon with boiled water.After a month you will be able to use face soap.
- Blinds or goggles are required to prevent dust particles from falling into your eyes when going outside.
- You can wash your hair only with shampoo without applying it to your face.
- It is forbidden to read books, drive a car and watch TV for a week after the operation.
- It is recommended to use herbal preparations to quickly restore eyesight.
- When outdoors, it is important to wear tinted glasses (for UV protection) for 2-4 weeks.
- The use of decorative cosmetics for the eyes is allowed no later than one month after the operation, since the entry of cosmetic particles is extremely undesirable.
- Doctors do not recommend getting pregnant in the first three months after the intervention.
- Typically, the doctor will schedule consultations 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
- After the operation, you can start working only after the vision is fully restored (usually after 2-3 weeks).At the same time, due to excessive eye fatigue (secretaries, accountants, programmers, etc.)
- During the year, you should not sunbathe, you should not come into contact with pets or children, you should not engage in active sports (so as not to damage the cornea).
Complications
Complications are possible after any eye surgery, regardless of the type.Such complications may occur:
- lens displacement;
- separation of stitches;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- retinal detachment;
- blurred vision;
- inflammation of the membranes of the eye;
- clouding of the cornea;
- vitreous hemorrhage;
- secondary cataract.
Post-operative complications 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 of eye diseases and subsequently achieve excellent results.In order to minimize problems during eye surgery, it is important to carefully choose a clinic for treatment and contact only real specialists.