Eye surgery – what is it?

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

Anesthesia is administered during the operation so that the patient feels no pain and often no discomfort.

Thanks to modern technology, most procedures are successful and painless.But such operations have their own side effects and contraindications.Anyone planning eye surgery should know about this.

Indications for eye surgery

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

With any ophthalmological procedure there is a risk of pathology and deterioration in vision.The procedure can be unsuccessful and not everything always depends on the ophthalmologist who carries out the operation.

Before the procedure, the patient must carefully assess his condition.Review the information about the selected intervention.Evaluate contraindications and possible side effects.A person must assess the possible consequences.The treatment does not always go smoothly and without consequences.Although in most cases this is the case.

Most patients undergo surgery to improve vision for the following pathologies:

• myopia (short-sightedness);
• hypermetropia (farsightedness);
• Cataract (clouding of the lens).

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

If a child needs surgery, parents should weigh the pros and cons.The child cannot make his or her own decisions.This means that his vision depends entirely on his parents' choice.

Scleroplasty

Does not completely restore vision, but blocks further decline in visual acuity.Prescribed mainly for myopia in people over 18 years old.This is because a child's eye is susceptible to change (the shape of the eye and its components changes).

So if you “insert” scleral-strengthening material into a child’s eye, the material will expand over time and can cause vision deterioration.

The aim of scleroplasty is to stabilize vision.It is not a corrective procedure.

Takes 20-30 minutes.Sclero-strengthening material (patient tissue, synthetic polymers, silicone, etc.) is introduced into the eye.The scleral-strengthening material adheres to the outer membrane of the eye.Vision loss is blocked.

If myopia progresses, scleroplasty is prescribed.In the event that vision correction is prohibited for any reason.

Performing scleroplasty is not recommended in the following cases:

• age of children (up to 5 years);
• psychosomatic disorders;
• the presence of viral or infectious diseases;
• dystrophy of the visual apparatus;
• Allergy or hypersensitivity to scleral-reinforcing material;
• Allergy to an anesthetic.

This procedure is permitted during pregnancy.However, it is still recommended to undergo scleroplasty before or after pregnancy.

After the operation, every patient faces a long rehabilitation period.Contains:

• It is not recommended to read books, sit at the computer, watch TV and limit the use of the phone for 1-2 weeks (you cannot strain your eyes).
• Do not go to the swimming pool or do any sports for 4-5 weeks.
• 2-3 weeks (determined individually) wearing glasses with filters against ultraviolet rays (an acute light reaction occurs after the procedure);
• Limit intense physical activity for 8-12 months.

It is recommended that you follow all instructions from your doctor.Instill regenerating antibacterial drops.Then the rehabilitation period will be favorable and will not have negative consequences.

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

Vitrectomy

Surgical procedure 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.Takes 1.5-3 hours.

Notes:

• clouding of the vitreous body;
• infectious or inflammatory diseases of the inner mucous membrane of the eye;
• retinal detachment;
• mechanical injuries leading to dislocation of the lens;
• Bleeding into the vitreous body.

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

Not recommended in the following cases:

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

Vitrectomy gradually restores vision.Restoration of visual acuity takes 1-2 months.

If the operation did not go so smoothly 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 that performs the procedure.A 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 directed.Retinal tears are repaired with a laser.If the gap is not “soldered” in time, retinal detachment occurs.A detachment is much more difficult to treat.Therefore, it is important to undergo an operation in a timely manner - laser coagulation of the retina.

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

The procedure lasts 20 minutes.Beforehand, anesthetic drops are injected into the patient.

Contraindications:

• clouding of the visual system;
• vascular pathologies (including differences in bleeding);
• reduced visual acuity (with visual acuity 0.1 this is not recommended);
• Dystrophy of the organs of the visual apparatus.

A complication may occur – corneal edema.Causes temporary visual impairment.However, if the operating doctor's instructions are followed, the patient's vision will be restored.

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

Strabismus correction

Surgery to correct strabismus is usually performed in childhood.Adults most often seek such a procedure for acquired strabismus.

Notes:

• squint;
• Paralysis of the eye muscles.

The procedure provides a cosmetic effect and restores the patient's vision.But vision does not always return completely.After the operation, only half of the vision returns.

Ophthalmologists recommend resorting to this operation only when conservative (non-surgical) methods do not help.This manipulation is an intervention of particular complexity.

The cost is around $330.

Networking

The operation is performed on the cornea (the front convex part of the eyeball).A small, thin layer of cornea is cut off.The corneal layer is carefully strengthened.A protective lens is attached at the top.Networking is required in the following cases:

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

Contraindications:

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

Networking takes no longer than 1 hour.The patient stays in the hospital for 2-3 days.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.The result of the procedure lasts 8-10 years.

Networking prices start at $330.

Glaucoma treatment

Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by a periodic or constant increase in intraocular pressure.This surgical procedure is prescribed if the patient does not respond to conservative methods.The operation can be carried out at the patient's request.A person becomes tired of constantly dripping drops and taking pills.

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

During the rehabilitation period, a person must follow all instructions and advice given by the attending physician.Then the effect of the operation lasts longer and complications are avoided.

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

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

The cost of laser surgery starts at $130.Surgical procedure – from $330.

Cataract removal

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

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

Contraindications:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding period;
• the presence of infectious eye diseases;
• Inflammation;
• mental 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 perform heavy 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.People can return to their usual lifestyle.

Cost – from $330.

Laser vision correction

Laser correction is the most popular operation.Carried out when:

• myopia (myopia);
• Hypermetropia (farsightedness)
• 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 experiences discomfort (acute light reaction, tearing, pain).But gradually the symptoms disappear.

Laser correction is contraindicated in the following cases:

• Age up to 18 years (determined individually based on the patient's characteristics);
• infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• progressive state of myopia (hypermetropia, astigmatism).

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

The cost of laser correction starts at $330.