Using contacts and glasses can be cumbersome for some people, and can have an unfavorable impact on their active lifestyles. Many individuals are opting to take charge of their vision in a more irreversible method.
Eye experts have actually made amazing developments in vision correction surgery, likewise called refractive and laser eye surgery, recently. There are many types of vision correction surgeries. Many procedures work to reshape the cornea so that light going through it can concentrate on the retina. Other surgeries change the lens of the eye.
Here are the different types of restorative surgeries, what they improve, and how they work.
LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis)
This surgery reshapes the underlying corneal tissue to focus light into the eye and reach the retina. This procedure is perfect for patients who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. What makes LASIK special is its methodology. Eye surgeons produce a flap of the outside layer of the cornea in order to access the underlying tissue. The procedure requires precision, and advancements in computer imaging innovation allow LASIK professionals to develop comprehensive corneal images and direct the treatment.
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)
PRK is a procedure that uses a laser to reshape the cornea. Unlike LASIK, PRK only improves the surface area of the cornea. It’s perfect for mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. PRK can likewise work with computer imaging innovation.
LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis)
This procedure is a small variation of PRK. The doctor will produce a flap where epithelial cells are loosened by using an alcohol solution. Then, a laser improves the cornea and the flap is set and protected with a soft contact lens so that it can heal around the correction. LASEK treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
ALK (automated lamellar keratoplasty)
ALK can help people with severe nearsightedness and couple of levels of farsightedness, although LASIK has all however changed ALK as a technique of correction. For this procedure, an eye specialists creates a flap in the cornea to access the underlying tissue. No laser is used, and instead, the doctor makes an incision in the sub-layer of the cornea to reshape and correct vision.
RLE (refractive lens exchange)
RLE is a procedure for remedying cataracts. The doctor makes a little incision to remove the natural lens of the eye on the edge of the cornea. The lens is replaced with a silicone or plastic lens. This procedure is also known as CLE (clear lens extraction) or RLR (refractive lens replacement) and can be used to correct severe farsightedness or nearsightedness. It is likewise used to remedy thin corneas, dry eyes, and other minor eye problems. Additional treatments might be had to fix astigmatism.
EpiLasik
The EpiLasik procedure is extremely similar to PRK. The doctor separates a thin layer of the cornea and after that improves it. The layer might either be gotten rid of or changed. The doctor ends up the procedure by applying a soft contact lens to secure the area until it can completely heal.
PRELEX (presbyopic lens exchange)
If the eye’s lens loses its flexibility, the condition is described as presbyopia. Patients with presbyopia have trouble concentrating on close objects. PRELEX is a procedure where the eye doctor implants a multifocal lens to improve flexibility and restore focus.
Intacs
Intacs are also called intracorneal ring segments (ICR). For this procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the cornea. Two crescent-shaped plastic rings are put at the outer edge of the cornea to flatten it. The flattened cornea allows for light rays to be changed in the method they focus on the retina. ICR has been replaced by laser-based procedures to treat mild nearsightedness.
Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants
Some patients who are too nearsighted for PRK and LASIK, require Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants. For this procedure, the doctor inserts an implant through a really small incision at the edge of the cornea that connects to the iris behind the pupil. The eye’s natural lens is left in place.
AK (astigmatic keratonomy)
AK is a surgery that corrects an astigmatism without making use of a laser. People with astigmatism have corneas that are formed like a football, and this surgery fixes that by making one or more incisions at the steepest part of the cornea. After the incisions are made, the cornea unwinds and takes a more rounded shape. AK can be performed alone or with other laser eye surgical treatments.
I considered various options for correcting strabismus and settled on LASIK. A lot of positive reviews, a lot of quality surgeons. And the price is quite acceptable.