Excimer laser refractive surgery involves reshaping the anterior lens of the eye by removing tissue from the middle layer of the cornea (stroma). It is a micrometric carving (thousandths of a millimeter) that allows patients to restore proper vision and eliminate their dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
In which cases is it applied and why?
It is applied in all those patients who have a corneal thickness appropriate to their number of diopters. The amount of tissue removed is directly related to the number of diopters preoperatively.
Can all patients undergo this type of surgery or are there any limitations?
The limitations of the excimer laser, as mentioned above, are determined by the patient’s previous corneal thickness and the number of diopters. This surgery would be indicated, therefore, in low and medium vision defects. There are also contraindications in case of moderate or severe dry eye, or in case of corneal irregularities.
Ocular problems that can be corrected with laser refractive surgery
The classic disorders of refractive defects such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism (with or without hyperopia) are corrected. Recently we also have PresbyLasik for eyestrain, but in any case the previous evaluation of the patient is essential for the personalized indication to the “morphology” of each eye.
Are the results favorable and definitive?
The success rate in refractive surgery patients is very high. In 95% of the cases patients are below 0.50D in the first intervention, and only 5% require a touch-up after 3 months. Laser results are very stable, although myopia may progress in those cases where there is an overexertion in near vision, hence breaks during the working day are recommended.