What is refractive surgery?
Refractive surgery is the set of surgical techniques that correct vision alterations normally caused by a refractive defect, such as astigmatism, hyperopia or myopia. The main objective of this type of surgery is to reduce the defects as much as possible in order to eliminate the use of contact lenses for daily use. There are different techniques to perform the procedure: laser surgery, which modifies the structure of the cornea, or intraocular surgery that implants intraocular lenses inside the eye, such as the LASIK procedure that reshapes the cornea with a laser beam.
In which cases can refractive surgery be performed?
Refractive surgery becomes a viable option when you want to decrease your dependence on contact lens wear, are free of ocular disease or when there is an appropriate refractive problem that requires the operation. It is also important to accept the risks and possible side effects as well as to accept that there are times when the surgery does not involve the total elimination of contact lens wear.
Lasik, the most precise procedure
There are many types of refractive surgery, but currently, the most widely used technique is Lasik, indicated in the case of high, moderate and mild myopia that may or may not be associated with astigmatism, as in the case of hyperopia. It is the most widely used for refractive correction due to its efficacy, precision and safety. This type of surgery consists of modifying the curvature of the cornea through the application of the Excimer laser, with minimal discomfort for the patient and also without the need to stay in the hospital.
The procedure used is: lifting a thin layer of corneal tissue that is then repositioned without the need for sutures, and then proceeding to the molding of the central area of the cornea so that it can acquire the ideal corneal curvature to focus correctly all the images on the retina.
Five tips after surgery
After surgery, during the following days there may be slight pain, itching, or more sensitivity to light and for a few weeks you may notice red sclerae, as well as dry eyes. Over a longer period of time, you may have fluctuating vision and be sensitive to flashes or see halos in your eyes.
For this reason, it is important to keep these five tips in mind in the postoperative period and during the following months:
- Wear an eye shield to protect the eye from rubbing it or putting too much pressure on it as well as from possible bumps or punctures.
- Do not rub or squeeze your eyes, as the flap may detach.
- Use artificial eye drops to combat dryness.
- Do not use contact lenses in the operated eye and always wear sunglasses when going outdoors.
- Do not use makeup, creams or lotions around the eye for at least a couple of weeks.
What are the risks of Lasik surgery?
Some of the risks of this type of LASIK surgery usually disappear after some time, but there are occasions when this does not happen. Some effects that may be temporary or permanent are blurred vision, eye discomfort, reddish spots in the white part of the eye, halos of light or itchy eyes. Other risks that usually occur are infection of the eye, loss of vision or blindness.
Intraocular lens implantation, when to opt for this solution?
When Lasik refractive surgery is not a viable option, there are other methods such as intraocular lens implantation. This technique is normally used when the patient has small corneal thicknesses or very high myopia and hyperopia.
The surgery does not require the patient to be hospitalized and topical anesthesia, such as eye drops, is sufficient. It consists of inserting a flexible intraocular lens between the iris and the crystalline lens. This type of technique does not modify the structure of the cornea, but rather neutralizes the refractive defects with the dioptric power of the intraocular lens to be implanted, previously calculated and adjusted to each patient.