Expert in transplants, Crosslinking, corneal rings, cataract surgery and refractive surgery, Dr. Villamor Poyales has been in charge of the Cornea Unit at Innova Ocular IOA Madrid since 2010. In the following article she explains everything you should know about laser refractive surgery.
Laser refractive surgery consists of reshaping the cornea by means of a very high precision laser to correct prescription defects.
Laser techniques in refractive surgery
There are several laser techniques by which refractive surgery can be performed:
- PRK: this is the superficial technique, which is indicated for patients with low prescription or thin corneas.
- LASIK: consists of a technique with a very fast recovery, allowing to correct defects such as high astigmatism.
- SMILE: is a state-of-the-art technique, which consists of generating a lenticule that is removed through a minimal incision.
What are the applications of laser refractive surgery?
Laser refractive surgery is aimed at correcting vision problems such as myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. The amount of diopters the patient has can be corrected depending on the corneal thickness.
What are the risks involved in laser refractive surgery?
As with any procedure, laser refractive surgery is not without risk. However, these risks are rare if a thorough study of the state of the cornea has been performed. Another factor that will determine that there are fewer risks is the fact of working with the latest generation lasers that make treatments free of aberrations and save tissue.
Among the most frequent complications are infections, as well as deformities of the cornea due to excessive weakening of the cornea depending on the technique.
What are the alternatives to laser refractive surgery?
The alternatives that do not include surgery are glasses or contact lenses. Among the surgical alternatives is the implantation of intraocular lenses, which are implanted behind the iris and in front of the crystalline lens. This technique has the advantage of correcting large graduation defects and is additive, therefore, reversible in case of any incidence.
Which patients are good candidates for laser refractive surgery?
Due to the wide range of existing techniques for the correction of prescription defects, practically any patient can be operated on. Nevertheless, it is important that the ophthalmology expert makes a thorough study of the patient and tells you which is the most appropriate technique for your case.
What does laser refractive surgery recovery consist of?
The recovery is short, from the day after the intervention you can lead a normal life. The indications given are not to look at the computer screen until five days after the intervention, taking breaks of between 5 and 10 minutes every half hour.
During the first days it is normal to experience dryness, which is solved with artificial tears. Most patients have sufficient vision to return to normal life the day after surgery.