Eye surgeries: what are they?

Modern ophthalmology allows operations to be performed in 15-40 minutes.

During the surgery, anesthesia is used, so the patient feels no pain and often no discomfort.

Thanks to modern technologies, most operations are successful and painless.But such operations have their side effects and contraindications.Every person who plans to undergo eye surgery should know them.

Indications for eye surgery

Most people find ophthalmologic surgery to be safe, quick, and comfortable for the patient.But this opinion is not always true.

With every ophthalmological intervention there is a risk of developing pathologies and deterioration of vision.The operation may not be successful and not everything always depends on the ophthalmologist who performs the operation.

Before surgery, the patient must carefully evaluate his condition.Review information about the selected intervention.Evaluate contraindications and possible side effects.A person must evaluate the possible consequences.Treatment does not always proceed smoothly and without consequences.Although in most cases this is true.

Most patients undergo surgery to improve their vision for the following conditions:

• myopia (myopia);
• farsightedness (hyperopia);
• cataract (clouding of the lens).

Ophthalmic surgery will allow a person to restore lost visual acuity.The person will again be able to engage in activities that require excellent vision (driving a car, riding a bicycle and in some cases reading books).

If surgery is necessary for a child, parents should weigh the pros and cons.The child cannot make decisions on his own.This means that his vision completely depends on his parents' choice.

Scleroplasty

It does not completely restore vision, but stops the continued decline in visual acuity.Prescribed mainly for myopia in people over 18 years of age.This is due to the fact that the child's eye is susceptible to changing (the shape of the eye and its components changes).

Therefore, if you “introduce” sclera-strengthening material into a child's eye, over time the material will stretch and can lead to worsening vision.

Scleroplasty aims to stabilize vision.It is not a corrective intervention.

Lasts 20-30 minutes.And it consists of introducing scleroreinforcing material into the eye (patient's tissue, synthetic polymers, silicone, etc.).The sclera strengthening material adheres to the outer membrane of the eye.The decrease in vision is blocked.

Scleroplasty is prescribed for progressive myopia.In case vision correction is prohibited for some reason.

It is not recommended to perform scleroplasty in the following cases:

• children's age (up to 5 years);
• psychosomatic disorders;
• the presence of viral or infectious diseases;
• dystrophy of the visual system;
• allergy or hypersensitivity to sclera reinforcing material;
• allergy to an anesthetic drug.

During pregnancy this surgery is permitted.But it is still advisable to undergo scleroplasty surgery before or after pregnancy.

After the operation, each patient faces a long period of rehabilitation.Includes:

• It is not recommended to read books, sit at the computer, watch TV, limit the use of the phone for 1-2 weeks (you can not strain your eyes);
• Do not visit the pool or play sports for 4-5 weeks;
• 2-3 weeks (determined individually) wear glasses with filters from ultraviolet rays (after surgery there is an acute reaction to light);
• limit vigorous physical activity for 8 to 12 months.

You are advised to follow all your doctor's instructions.Instill repairing antibacterial drops.Then the rehabilitation period will be favorable and will not suffer any negative consequences.

The cost of scleroplasty starts at $50 per eye.The cost depends on the region of residence, the ophthalmology clinic and the qualifications of the specialist.It is important to carefully approach the choice of an ophthalmology clinic.The future state of vision may depend on this choice.

Vitrectomy

Surgery to partially or completely remove the vitreous humor (the clear substance that fills the space between the retina and the lens).Performed by a highly qualified surgeon.Lasts 1.5-3 hours.

Directions:

• opacification of the vitreous;
• infectious or inflammatory diseases of the inner lining of the eye;
• retinal detachment;
• mechanical injuries resulting in dislocation of the lens;
• hemorrhage in the vitreous body.

The patient's vitreous body is removed and an artificial lens is placed in its place.

Not recommended in the following cases:

• pregnancy period;
• regular or periodic increase in intraocular pressure (glaucoma);
• high degrees of opacification of the lens and cornea.

With vitrectomy, vision is gradually restored.The period of restoration of visual acuity lasts 1-2 months.

If the operation did not go well or the patient did not follow the doctor's recommendations, complications may arise:

• infectious diseases;
• retinal detachment;
• development of glaucoma (a group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure);
• clouding of the cornea or lens.

Prices start at $330. The price depends on the region of residence and the clinic performing the procedure.Vitrectomy can cost up to $1,660 per eye.

Laser coagulation of the retina

A lens is placed on the patient's eye through which the laser is passed.Retinal tears are repaired using a laser.If the gap is not "welded" in time it will transform into retinal detachment.Detachment is much more difficult to treat.Therefore, it is important to timely undergo surgery: laser coagulation of the retina.

Corrects small retinal detachments (decided individually with each patient).

The operation lasts 20 minutes.Before that, the patient is instilled with anesthetic drops.

Contraindications:

• blurring of the visual system;
• vascular pathologies (including differences in hemorrhage);
• reduced visual acuity (with vision 0.1 is not recommended);
• dystrophy of the organs of the visual system.

A complication may occur: corneal edema.Causes temporary visual impairment.But if the instructions of the operating doctor are followed, the patient's vision is restored.

The cost of laser retinal coagulation ranges from $33 to $830.

Correction of strabismus

Surgery to correct strabismus usually occurs during childhood.Adults require such surgery more often in cases of acquired strabismus (strabismus).

Directions:

• squinting;
• paralysis of the eye muscles.

The operation allows a cosmetic effect and restores the patient's sight.But vision doesn't always return fully.After the operation, only half of the vision returns.

Ophthalmologists recommend resorting to this operation only if conservative (non-surgical) methods do not help.This manipulation is a particularly complex intervention.

The cost is approximately $330.

Reticulation

The operation is performed on the cornea (the convex front part of the eyeball).A small thin layer of the cornea is cut away.The stratum corneum is carefully strengthened.A protective lens is placed on the top.Cross-linking is prescribed in the following cases:

• corneal dystrophy;
• keratoconus;
• keratomalacia;
• “burnout” of parts of the cornea.

Contraindications:

• age up to 15 years;
• pregnancy period;
• thin corneal layer;
• low visual acuity.

Curing takes no more than 1 hour.The patient remains in hospital for 2-3 days.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.The result of the surgery lasts 8-10 years.

Crosslinking prices start at $330.

Glaucoma treatment

Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by periodic or constant increases in intraocular pressure.This surgery is prescribed if the patient does not respond to conservative methods.The operation can be performed at the patient's request.A person gets tired of constantly instilling drops and taking pills.

Surgery to correct glaucoma is temporary (most of the time).Gradually, the increased intraocular pressure returns to the patient.

During the rehabilitation period, a person must follow all instructions and advice of the attending physician.Then the effect of the operation will last longer and complications will be avoided.

The main complication is the appearance of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

In general, surgery to treat glaucoma is considered safe.In most cases it is successful.

The cost of laser surgery is $130. Surgery – from $330.

Cataract removal

Cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye.Surgical intervention is performed when conservative treatment methods do not help or in case of severe degrees of development of the disease.The damaged lens is removed using a laser or ultrasound.

A new artificial one is placed in its place.The operation lasts 15-20 minutes.

Contraindications:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding period;
• the presence of infectious ophthalmological diseases;
• inflammation;
• psychological disorders;
• heart failure;
• age under 18 years (contraindications are determined individually, based on the individual characteristics of the patient).

It is important to observe a rehabilitation period of 1-2 months.Do not carry out intense physical activity, do not go to the swimming pool, stop driving (1-2 weeks after surgery).After replacing the lens, you should not rub your eyes.

Within 1-2 months, the lens should “take root” in the patient's body.A person can resume his usual lifestyle again.

Cost: from $330.

Laser vision correction

Laser correction is the most popular operation.Executed when:

• myopia (myopia);
• farsightedness (hyperopia)
• astigmatism.

Lasts 20-30 minutes using anesthetic drops.On the day of laser correction, the patient goes home.1-2 days after the correction, the person will feel discomfort (sharp reaction to light, crying, pain).But gradually the discomfort disappears.

Laser correction is contraindicated in the following cases:

• age up to 18 years (determined individually based on patient characteristics);
• infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• progressive state of myopia (hyperopia, astigmatism).

In most cases it is successful.The patient's vision is completely restored.

The cost of laser correction starts at $330.