Poor eyesight not only throws a person out of the 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 operation methods and their main features.
To do or not to do
There is an opinion that modern eye surgeries are guaranteed to 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 poses a risk.
Most often, ophthalmologists offer surgery to correct very common eye diseases such as:
- cataract;
- myopia;
- foresight.
Before the patient makes a decision, he should know all the advantages and disadvantages of the operation.There are clear indications for which eye surgery is necessary.Such interventions are done in the following cases:
- professional need for better 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), which cannot be corrected with glasses: neither eye can tolerate glasses with a difference of more than 2.5 diopters.
The patient's desire to improve vision is acceptable if there are no direct contraindications for surgical interventions.
After all, greater visual acuity allows you to live a better quality of life.After regaining 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 have eye surgery for aesthetic reasons, dreaming of getting rid of glasses.
The issue of eye surgery in childhood should be approached with particular care.A child is not yet capable of making the right decision on its own, and instead, all possible risks of such an intervention should be assessed by adults.
Types of eye surgery
There are many types of ophthalmic surgery.For example, eye surgery eliminates many eye defects (myopia, cloudiness of the lens).Today, patients are often offered surgical treatment with laser or ultrasound for severe eye pathologies such as retinal detachment or rupture.In the progression of cataracts, surgical interventions on the lens are used, 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 body, intervention is indicated if it is damaged or if there is blood (hemophthalmos).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.It involves inserting a flap of material that strengthens the sclera into the eyeball.For this purpose, silicone, biological material or the patient's own tissue is used.After that, the lobe "merges" with the outer eye membrane and there is further growth of blood vessels into it.
Scleroplasty can be of several degrees of complexity (depending on the severity of the pathology): simple, simplified or complex.
Contraindication for scleroplasty is the patient's allergic reaction to the material used.
Vitrectomy
During 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;
- bleeding into the vitreous cavity;
- vitreous opacity;
- retinal tear or detachment.
Vitrectomy is performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia.Usually 2-3 hours are enough for that.After fixing the eye with an eyelid dilator, a micro-incision is made on it.Then, using special miniature instruments, the vitreous body is removed, and an artificial lens is inserted 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 with the help of a laser.The intervention lasts only about 20 minutes, and pain relief is applied 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 blood vessels or tissues in the eye stick together.The efficiency of this operation is high (up to 70%).The patient is allowed to go home the very next day.
Indications for surgery are:
- retinal pathology (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 strabismus is acquired, or could not be treated previously.Strabismus surgery lasts up to 30 minutes and consists of 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.Usually, the patient is discharged on the day of the operation, and recovers within a week.
Indications for this correction are:
- reduced mobility (paralysis or paresis) of extraocular muscles;
- any degree of strabismus.
Cross linking
Cross-linking refers to corneal surgeries due to pathologies.This is done to strengthen and strengthen the ligaments of the corneal tissue.
This intervention is performed under local anesthesia.In this case, part of the cornea is cut off, and only the eye is irradiated to thicken the corneal layer.Then a protective lens is 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 treatment of glaucoma with drugs.
Modern clinics mostly use laser operations without a knife, because they are low-traumatic, painless and have a minimum of complications.
This uses a laser beam to create a hole to remove excess fluid from the eye.For the open-angle form, a non-penetrating deep sclerectomy is used.In this case, the corneal layer 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 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 cataract is to remove the clouded lens with laser or ultrasound.
An artificial lens is inserted to replace the damaged one.The operation is flawless and takes about 15 minutes.
Such interventions for cataracts are usually done when conservative treatment is ineffective or for progressive types of cataracts (posterior capsular).More often, mature cataracts are treated surgically.
The postoperative regime lasts about 1.5 months.It is especially important for implanting the lens and preventing its rejection (limiting heavy lifting, eliminating 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 for:
- foresight:
- myopia;
- astigmatism.
This operation is performed under local anesthesia.Then the layer of the cornea is 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 problems, etc.)
The main methods of laser correction are LASIK and PRK, as well as many variants of these methods.
The LASIK method is particularly preferred by ophthalmologists due to the short postoperative period and painlessness.
This operation takes about 20 minutes on both eyes, with local anesthesia.
The discomfort for the patient is that in the postoperative phase he faces "corneal syndrome".
This is a condition in which the following symptoms are observed:
- photophobia;
- pain, cutting;
- tearing up.
Medicines (analgesics, steroids) help to deal with such manifestations.The postoperative period includes a number of restrictions (visiting saunas and baths, limiting alcohol, avoiding heavy lifting, refraining from pregnancy for one year).
Rehabilitation after surgery
After any surgical intervention, the most important phase is the postoperative period.
If you do not follow the prescribed regime, the consequences can be quite tragic.Let's consider the basic recommendations that are important for the patient to follow after each such operation:
- In the first days after surgery, it is forbidden to rub your eyes with your hands, and washing your face must be replaced by wiping with a tampon boiled with water.You will be able to use the face soap after one month.
- When you go outside, you need a blindfold or goggles to prevent dust particles from entering your eyes.
- You can only wash your hair without shampooing your face.
- It is forbidden to read, drive a car or watch TV for a week after the operation.
- It is recommended to use blueberry preparations to quickly restore vision.
- 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 later than one month after the operation, because the entry of cosmetic particles is extremely undesirable.
- Doctors do not recommend pregnancy in the first three months after the intervention.
- Typically, the doctor schedules consultations 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
- After the operation, you can start working only after the complete restoration 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, or actively engage in sports (to avoid corneal injuries).
Complications
Regardless of the type, complications are possible after any eye surgery.Such complications can be:
- lens shift;
- suture divergence;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- retinal ablation;
- blurred vision;
- inflammation of the eye membranes;
- corneal clouding;
- 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 opt for surgical treatment of eye diseases and get excellent results afterwards.It is important to carefully choose a clinic for treatment and contact only the right professionals in order to minimize problems during eye surgery.