Poor eyesight not only pushes a person out of his usual circle, but also prevents him from living a full life and doing what he loves.Modern ophthalmology constantly offers new methods of treating eye pathologies, the main of which is eye surgery.Let's learn more about the operating modes and their main features.
To do or not
There is an opinion that modern eye surgeries are guaranteed to be safe, since they are performed as quickly, easily and painlessly as possible.
However, the apparent simplicity of such interventions is deceptive, since even any cosmetic surgery represents 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 pros and cons of the surgery.There are clear indications why eye surgery is necessary.These interventions are carried out in the following cases:
- professional need for the best possible vision (military, professional athlete, actor, etc.);
- a noticeable difference in ocular refraction (with different degrees of myopia in the right and left eye), which cannot be corrected with glasses: no eye can tolerate glasses with a difference of more than 2.5 diopters.
The desire of patients to improve vision is acceptable if there are no direct contraindications for surgical interventions.
After all, greater visual acuity allows you to experience a better quality of life.After restoring 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 undergo eye surgery for aesthetic reasons, dreaming of getting rid of their glasses.
You should approach the issue of eye surgery in childhood with special attention.The child is not yet capable of making the right decision on his own, and all possible risks of such an intervention should be assessed by adults.
Types of eye surgeries
There are many types of ophthalmic surgeries.For example, eye surgery eliminates many eye defects (myopia, opacity of the lens).Nowadays, patients are often offered surgical treatment with laser or ultrasound for serious eye conditions 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).Surgery on the vitreous body is indicated if it is damaged or if blood is present (hemophthalmos).In this case, vitrectomy is proposed: removal of the vitreous body.What types of eye surgeries are used in modern ophthalmology?
Let's take a closer look at the main methods of eye surgery.
Scleroplasty
This surgery 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 sclera-strengthening material into the eyeball.For this purpose, silicone, biological material or the patient's own tissue is used.Next, the flap “mates” with the outer membrane of the eye and further growth of blood vessels occurs within it.
Scleroplasty can have different degrees of complexity (depending on the severity of the pathology): simple, simplified or complex.
A contraindication to scleroplasty is the patient's allergic reaction to the material used.
Vitrectomy
During a vitrectomy, the surgeon is forced to remove (partially or completely) the vitreous humor from the eye.
This complex surgery must be performed by a highly trained surgeon using high-tech equipment.
The indications for such treatment are:
- eye injuries;
- hemorrhage in the vitreous cavity;
- opacification of the vitreous;
- retinal rupture or detachment.
Vitrectomy is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.Usually 2-3 hours are enough for this.After fixing the eye with an eyelid dilator, a microincision is made.Then, using special miniature instruments, the vitreous body is removed and an artificial lens is inserted in its place.In addition, a special liquid or silicone substitute is used as a vitreous substitute.
However, this 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 surgery only takes about 20 minutes and the pain relief is applied in the form of drops.There is no blood loss with this type of operation.A lens is placed over the eye through which the laser is directed.At the same time, due to the high temperature, torn vessels or tissues in the eye are glued together.The effectiveness of this operation is high (up to 70%).The patient can go home the next day.
The indications for surgery are:
- retinal pathology (detachment, dystrophy, vascular pathology);
- eye tumors;
- central vein thrombosis.
Correction of strabismus
Very often this intervention is carried out during childhood (from 2 to 5 years).Sometimes the surgery is also performed on adults if the strabismus is acquired or could not be treated previously.The surgery for strabismus 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.
For this pathology there are two types of surgery:
- strengthening: if the eye muscle needs to be stretched;
- relaxing: if the eye muscle needs to be relaxed.
The surgery is performed under local anesthesia using an eyelid dilator.Usually the patient is discharged on the day of surgery and recovers within a week.
The indications for this fix are:
- reduced mobility (paralysis or paresis) of the extraocular muscles;
- any degree of strabismus.
Reticulation
Cross-linking refers to interventions on the ocular cornea for pathologies.This is done to strengthen and strengthen the ligaments of the corneal tissue.
This surgery is performed under local anesthesia.In this case, part of the cornea is cut and the eye itself is irradiated to thicken the corneal layer.A protective lens is then placed over the eye.After 2-3 days the patient is discharged.Usually the effect of the operation lasts 10 years.
A similar operation is performed when:
- degenerative-dystrophic processes of the cornea;
- protruding areas of the cornea;
- keratoconus.
Eye surgery to treat glaucoma
This eye surgery is indicated for the ineffective drug treatment of glaucoma.
Modern clinics mainly use laser operations without a knife, as 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 shape, deep non-penetrating sclerectomy is used.In this case, the corneal layer is artificially thinned to lower intraocular pressure.
The risk of complications with this surgery 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, the complete removal of the lens is used and its replacement, together with the capsule (or without it), with an artificial lens.
The most modern method for cataracts is the removal of the cloudy lens using laser or ultrasound.
An artificial lens is inserted to replace the damaged one.The operation is smooth and lasts about 15 minutes.
Such cataract surgeries are usually performed when conservative treatment is ineffective or for progressive types of cataract (posterior capsular).Most often, mature cataracts are treated surgically.
The postoperative regimen lasts approximately 1.5 months.It is especially important for lens engraftment and prevention of its rejection (limiting heavy lifting, eliminating thermal procedures, etc.)
Laser vision correction
This is the most popular type of ophthalmic surgery to improve visual acuity.Its effectiveness is unique: almost 99%.
Laser correction is carried out for:
- foresight:
- myopia;
- astigmatism.
This operation is performed under local anesthesia.Next, the corneal layer is ground with a laser to the desired level.
Although this operation has many admirers, it has many contraindications:
- ocular pathologies (cataracts, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, etc.);
- progression of the patient's myopia (diabetes mellitus, herpes, neurodermatitis, thyroid problems, etc.)
The main laser correction methods are LASIK and PRK, as well as many varieties of these methods.
The LASIK method is particularly preferred by ophthalmologists due to its short postoperative period and absence of pain.
This operation takes about 20 minutes for both eyes, using local anesthesia.
The inconvenience for the patient is that in the postoperative phase he has to face the "corneal syndrome".
This is a condition in which the following symptoms are observed:
- photophobia;
- pain, cutting;
- tearing.
Drugs (analgesics, steroids) help to cope with such manifestations.The postoperative period involves a number of restrictions (visiting saunas and baths, limiting alcohol, avoiding heavy lifting, abstaining from pregnancy for a year).
Rehabilitation after surgery
After any surgery, the most important stage is the postoperative period.
If you do not follow the prescribed regimen, the consequences can be quite tragic.Let's consider the basic recommendations that are important for the patient to follow after such an operation:
- In the first days after surgery it is forbidden to rub your eyes with your hands, and washing your face should be replaced by wiping with a swab with boiled water.You will be able to use the facial soap after a month.
- When going out you should wear a blindfold or protective glasses to prevent dust particles from entering your eyes.
- You can only wash your hair without using shampoo on your face.
- For a week after the operation it is forbidden to read, drive a car or watch TV.
- It is recommended to use blueberry preparations to quickly restore vision.
- When outdoors, it is important to use tinted glasses (for UV protection) for 2-4 weeks.
- The use of decorative eye cosmetics is allowed no earlier than a month after the operation, since the ingress of cosmetic particles is extremely undesirable.
- Doctors advise against pregnancy in the first three months after surgery.
- Typically, your doctor schedules consultations 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
- You can start working after surgery only after 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, come into contact with pets or children, or actively practice sports (to avoid injury to the cornea).
Complications
Regardless of the type, complications are possible after any eye surgery.Such complications can be:
- lens shift;
- seam divergence;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- retinal detachment;
- blurred vision;
- inflammation of the membranes of the eye;
- corneal opacity;
- 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 decide to undergo surgical treatment of eye diseases and subsequently achieve excellent results.It is important to carefully choose the clinic for treatment and turn only to real professionals to minimize problems during eye surgery.