Popular operations for restoring vision and how they are conducted

Modern operations to restore vision - high-tech and safe procedures that eliminate virtually any ophthalmological problem. They have been successfully applied for several decades, so the methods are constantly evolving, expanding and becoming more efficient. Improvement of visual functions is achieved by means of hardware correction of the shape of the cornea, lens, retina and other elements of the optical system of the eye. Competently selected technology allows not only to restore the vision completely, but also to reduce the risk of complications. From the article you will learn what ophthalmic operations, indications for use and possible risks exist.

Kinds

Thanks to the development of hardware methods of medicine, surgery to restore vision today is reliable and minimally invasive procedures.

Their duration does not exceed several hours, and further there is no need for complex rehabilitation measures.The choice of a surgical method of treatment is chosen depending on the disease, age and general condition of the patient's visual apparatus.

Laser correction

The most popular type of surgery for correcting visual acuity. Today, these are honed high-tech methods, which have high efficiency and minimal risk of complications. Allow to cope with myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. After the procedure, visual acuity persists for a long time, and if you follow all the prescriptions of an ophthalmologist, you can completely avoid repeated interference. There are several types of laser correction:

• LASIK. Basic type of surgery to restore visual acuity. First, the microkeratome separates the surface layer of the cornea, and then changes its shape using a laser beam. The main disadvantage of this type of correction is the inability to take into account the individual features of the anatomy of the patient's eye;
• SuperLASIK. An improved version of the traditional LASIK methodology. It allows to achieve the best result, because it takes into account the structure of the patient's visual system. Used in most modern clinics of the world;
• FemtoLASIK. A similar type of operation, the only difference is that the cut of the cornea is carried out not by a microkeratome, but by a special femto-laser. There is also an improved version, in which the course of the operation depends on the individual characteristics of the patient - Super Femto LASIK;
• Epi-LASIK. The mechanism of the procedure is identical to the traditional LASIK method, but this operation is prescribed only to patients with a thin cornea (acquired or congenital);
• PRK (PRK). Photorefractive keratectomy has been conducted since 1985. Today it is used in the presence of contraindications to the usual methods of correction, for example, with a thin cornea, serious ophthalmic diseases. The healing process is always painful, the recovery period lasts longer than other methods.

Operations for vision correction last no more than 15 minutes. After the procedure, it is necessary to wear a protective bandage for several hours, and also instill drops for 1-2 months. The risk of complications is minimal, repeated treatment is necessary if the vision is significantly reduced.

Vitrectomy

This is the procedure for the complete or partial removal of the vitreous body of the eyeball.It is performed under general or local anesthesia, in the absence of complications, it takes 2-3 hours.First, small punctures are made in the orbit, through which subsequent manipulations are carried out.Typically, this laser cauterization of the affected areas of the retina, sealing delamination or restoring the integrity of tissues.The procedure is assigned with the following problems:

• restoration of visual functions after hemorrhage in the eye tissues;
• prevention of age-related retinal detachment;
• treatment of severe retinopathy of the eyes, in which there are gross scars or neovascularization (germination of blood vessels).

As a replacement for the vitreous, artificial polymers, a gas vial, silicone oil or a balanced salt solution are used. The latter type is used more often, since in the future no further operation is required - the saline solution is subsequently replaced by the intraocular fluid.

After surgery, there may be side effects in the form of corneal edema, increased intraocular pressure, or even reduced vision.Recovery and prognosis depend on the extent of the lesion, as well as the type of prosthesis when replacing the vitreous.If there are irreversible changes in the optic nerve, it is almost impossible to achieve visual correction.

Scleroplasty

A common ophthalmic procedure aimed at strengthening the outer shell of the eye (sclera). It is prescribed not to correct visual functions, but to stabilize the degree of myopia in a patient at risk.It is recommended for adolescents suffering from this problem, because at this age the shape of the eye is actively changing.

During the operation, the required number of flaps of material to strengthen the sclera is inserted behind the posterior wall of the eyeball. Polymers or biological components are usually used.After this, a spike with the outer shell of the eye occurs, and in a few months the blood vessels necessary for maintaining visual functions grow into the flap.There is also a simplified version of scleroplasty. It is the introduction of an artificial or biological substance for the eyeball. The mechanism of action for such a technology is identical - preventing the growth of the eyeball.

Scleroplasty

This is a well-studied operation, which practically does not change with the years. It is carried out in most clinics. Side effects are practically not revealed, except for a possible allergy to the drug. Usually, a second operation is required.

Replacement of the lens

The necessary operation, which is prescribed for opacity or any other degenerative processes in the lens, for example, cataracts.Treatment is always compulsory, but the implant is selected individually, depending on the age, sex and severity of pathological changes in the eye.The replacement of the lens is prescribed in the following cases:

• high degrees of myopia and hyperopia;
• significant reduction in refraction;
• regenerative processes in the eye, age-related decline in vision;
• impossibility of laser recovery of vision;
• cataract;
• the likelihood of developing glaucoma against a systemic or ophthalmologic disease.

The procedure is always under local anesthesia. During the operation, the surgeon makes a small incision with a laser, after which a special instrument dilutes the patient's lens and removes it from the eye. After this, a prepared transplant is established. Intervention lasts no more than 25 minutes, subsequent suturing and recovery in a hospital is not required.

The operation is carried out in most private and public clinics. Complications after manipulation is usually not observed, but often subsequent laser correction of vision is prescribed. In rare cases, repeated replacement of the lens is necessary.

Keratoplasty (corneal replacement)

One of the most modern and complex ophthalmic operations, which involves a lot of risk and requires a high qualification of the surgeon. It is required to restore the anatomical integrity and physiological functions of the cornea.It is prescribed for the treatment of congenital or acquired defects resulting from injuries or illnesses.Healthy tissue for transplantation is taken only from donors, but artificial substitution is developed in many countries. Keratoplasty is recommended for the following tasks:

• treatment of cornea diseases (throat, tone disorders);
• mechanical or chemical damage;
• birth defects.

The operation is conducted no more than 30 minutes.During the procedure, the surgeon uses a laser or a special scalpel to remove part of the patient's cornea, and donor tissue is implanted in her place.Stitches can last up to a year, after which they select a special lens to reduce the risk of infection. The recovery period is from 4 weeks, during which antibiotic instillations are required, but regular inspections are required throughout the following year.

In recent years, it has been possible to significantly reduce the risk of rejection of donor tissue through the use of special formulations during its processing and preservation.

Laser coagulation of the retina

The operative method of restoration of retinal tissues. The effectiveness of the method is more than 70%, and already 24 hours after it can be returned to the usual way of life. Observations from an ophthalmologist are necessary for a year after the procedure.

Today, the operation is performed with a laser, which allows you to do without loss of blood. Under local anesthesia, the procedure takes no more than 20 minutes.

Laser coagulation of the retina

Before exposure to the laser, drops are dropped in order to dilate the pupil, and then a special protective lens is inserted through which the low frequencies are affected.Due to high temperatures, glueing of damaged cells, as well as small blood vessels, occurs.

The procedure of coagulation is necessary for any injuries and pathologies of the retina, as well as for eye tumors and diseases of the vascular system of this organ.After the operation, inflammation and turbidity may develop. For several years after correction, you can not engage in heavy physical labor and active sports.

Cross-breeding

An effective method of treating various diseases of the cornea. It is used to strengthen the ligaments and other fibers in the corneal tissues, which is necessary for keratoconus of various degrees or degenerative processes, dystrophy.

The operation is performed under local anesthesia.First, a small part of the cornea is cut off by a special device, and vitamin B2 is added to the open area.Subsequent irradiation allows the tissue to be compacted by more than 200%. The first week after the operation, it is necessary to wear a protective contact lens, and for 6 months to be examined by a doctor. The effect of the procedure is 10 years, then a second operation is required.

Complications are observed in rare cases. The patient may have decreased vision, inflammation or clouding of the cornea.

Treatment of glaucoma

Ophthalmic surgery with different degrees of glaucoma is necessary when drug therapy does not bring the desired result. The operation is performed by laser or surgically.

The laser method is considered the most successful.It is completely painless for the patient, and there are almost no complications. During the procedure, a beam is made through a hole through which liquid is removed from the eye tissues to normalize the pressure.It is used to treat all types of glaucoma.

Manual surgery is less effective, because there is a risk of complications after the procedure. As a rule, this is a non-penetrating deep sclerectomy.The aim of the method is to reduce the intraocular pressure with a slight thinning of the corneal layer.

The effect after both types of operations decreases over time. On average, after 5-7 years, a second operation is required. This period can be prolonged with the help of competent drug treatment.

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conclusions

Today, in most modern ophthalmological clinics, a number of surgical procedures are performed to correct vision.These are precise high-tech methods, with which you can solve almost any defect in the eye.The choice of method depends on a number of factors - age, disease, individual features of the structure of the patient's visual system. After the operation, the effect comes almost immediately, and if all the prescriptions of the doctor are observed, the visual acuity can be saved for a long time.