Refractive Surgery


Refractive corneal surgery is a type of eye surgery that is performed to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The goal of the surgery is to reshape the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye, in order to more accurately focus light onto the retina and improve vision. There are several different types of refractive corneal surgery, including laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Purpose of the Surgery

The main purpose of refractive corneal surgery is to correct vision problems and reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is usually performed on people who have a stable eyeglass prescription and are not candidates for other vision correction methods, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Conditions that may be treated with refractive corneal surgery include:

  • Nearsightedness (myopia)
  • Farsightedness (hyperopia)
  • Astigmatism
  • Presbyopia (difficulty seeing objects up close)

Types of Refractive Corneal Surgery

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

LASIK is the most common type of refractive corneal surgery. It involves the use of a laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and typically takes about 20 minutes per eye.

During the procedure, the eye surgeon will first numb the eye with anesthetic drops. The surgeon will then create a thin flap on the surface of the cornea using a special tool called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. The flap is then lifted, revealing the underlying corneal tissue.

Next, the surgeon will use an excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue. The laser removes precise amounts of tissue from the cornea based on the patient's eyeglass prescription. The flap is then repositioned and allowed to heal naturally.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

PRK is a type of refractive corneal surgery that is similar to LASIK, but it does not involve the creation of a corneal flap. Instead, the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is removed and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using an excimer laser. The epithelium will then regenerate naturally over the next few days.

PRK is usually recommended for patients with thin corneas or other conditions that may make them poor candidates for LASIK. It may also be used as an alternative to LASIK for patients with a high degree of nearsightedness or astigmatism.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)

SMILE is a newer type of refractive corneal surgery that is similar to LASIK, but it involves the creation of a small incision in the cornea rather than a flap. The procedure is performed using a laser to create a small lenticule (a piece of tissue) within the cornea. The lenticule is then removed through the small incision, resulting in a reshaping of the cornea and improved vision.

SMILE is typically recommended for patients with mild to moderate nearsightedness or astigmatism. It may be a good option for patients who are not candidates for LAS

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ABETALIPOPROTEINEMIA (BASSEN-KORNZWEIG SYNDROME) Retinopathy

Image
Abetalipoproteinemia, also known as Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to absorb and transport fats and fat-soluble vitamins. One of the ways that abetalipoproteinemia can affect the eyes is by causing retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that causes vision loss. Retinitis pigmentosa is a degenerative eye disease that affects the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye). It is characterized by the gradual loss of photoreceptor cells (cells that detect light and send signals to the brain) and the accumulation of pigment in the retina. This can cause vision loss and may lead to blindness in severe cases. Abetalipoproteinemia can also cause optic atrophy, a condition in which the optic nerve (the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain) becomes thin and weak. This can cause vision loss and other visual problems. In conclusion, abetalipoproteinemia can affect the eyes by causing reti...
Read more

What is myopia?

Image
Myopia is nearsightedness and this condition of eye occurs when the power of eye is increased from the normal powers of eye. The normal powers of eye is 58DS and the eye with >58DS eye power will be marked as myopic eye.  Definition   When parallel light rays coming from the infinity focus Infront of the retina while the accommodation should be at rest this condition of eye is known as myopia.
Read more

Scleritis

Scleritis 👌is a painful inflammation (swelling) the sclera. The tough, fibrous tissues of the sclera form a protective outer layer for the eye and make up 83 percent of the eye’s surface. In almost half of all cases, scleritis is associated with an underlying autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis. There are two main types of scleritis: anterior and posterior. Anterior scleritis, the most common type, affects the front portion of the sclera. There are three types of anterior scleritis: Diffuse scleritis is the most common type and fortunately the most treatable. This type displays widespread redness and inflammation throughout the whole or a portion of the front portion of the sclera.     Nodular scleritis, is characterized by the presence of nodules , often tender to the touch, on the surface of the eye.     Necrotizing scleritis is the most severe form of anterior scleritis. It has the ability to destroy scleral tissues an...
Read more