What is laser hair removal? What you need to know about laser hair removal and how fast and effective it is to remove unwanted hair. Consequences of surgery performed using a laser

Laser correction is the most effective and safe method treatment of farsightedness, myopia, astigmatism of various degrees in our time. This operation improves vision by eliminating the need for uncomfortable lenses or glasses.

As you understand, laser correction helps restore vision. But there are certain criteria for carrying out the operation.

• 1 month before surgery, contact correction is canceled.
• You need to take tests prescribed by your doctor.
• The operation is carried out as planned if you do not have acute chronic diseases.
• The day before the operation the eyes begin to dribble.

Day of the operation

• Can not use cosmetical tools, creams, perfume.
• There must be changeable shoes.
• Clothes must have an open collar.
• Take sunglasses.
• Having a passport.

Period after surgery

In the first days, you may have watery eyes, poor reaction to light, and painful sensations. But the degree of manifestation is greater during PRK surgery, as well as with individual pain sensitivity.

You should not touch your eye for several days. You can’t squint your eyes or not wash your face for one day. You need to sleep on your back. And don’t forget to drip some drops! The recovery process lasts from 1 to 7 days, complete healing takes several weeks or months.

Restrictions after surgery

• Eye injury.
• You cannot visit the baths.
• Alcohol is prohibited.
• A tan.
• Hormonal drugs.
• Taking vitamins.
• Pregnancy.
• Spicy or salty foods, limit coffee, highly carbonated drinks.
• Physical exercise.

How is laser vision correction performed?

There are several laser correction techniques. Below we will look at the most popular ones and analyze the advantages of each of them.

The LASIK system was invented after PRK and is more reliable and safe. Performed by an experienced specialist, this procedure can correct myopia up to 15 diopters, and reduces the rehabilitation period to just a few days.

Produced on the basis of very accurate computer calculations. This operation also preserves the anatomy of the layers of the cornea.

The first step is to separate the corneal layer into a flap using a surgical instrument called a microkeratome. It provides access to the middle layers of tissue in just 2-5 seconds, and painlessly. After this, using a laser, the corneal layer is transferred to the desired depth and then returned to its place. Literally a couple of hours after the procedure, you can safely return to your normal lifestyle.

• Very fast. The duration of the entire process is 10-15 minutes.
• This operation does not require hospitalization.
• Short recovery period.
• Full control over the process, guaranteeing safety.

Super LASIK - high standards of ophthalmology. This method consists of precise “grinding” of the cornea by analyzing its surface, which the Keratron system is capable of. Using this technology, all irregularities of the cornea can be eliminated. Using a computer, the data is transferred to the laser. The beam selectively corrects uneven areas of the cornea. All distortions are eliminated and the quality of vision improves.

• Correction accuracy.
• Increase in vision more than 90%.
• Safety.
• Postoperative period.
• You may experience some discomfort for some time after surgery. Later, all sensations will pass without a trace. There are no restrictions on visual loads like after LASIK.
• It is better to come to the operation with a person who will accompany you home afterwards.

Femto LASIK – performed on the WaveLight FS200 femto laser. The beam is very careful with the corneal tissue, providing a perfect flap. Guarantees a quick rehabilitation process, without pain and discomfort.

• Excellent laser precision allows you to make a perfectly precise flap.
• Possibility of surgery for a patient with a thin cornea.
• Small risk of forming an incorrect flap.
• Fast flap formation – 6 seconds. Thanks to this, the eye tissue is less damaged.

Myths of laser correction

You can often hear that the retina is burned during correction. Of course this is not true. Such myths appear due to misconceptions about the operation.

If this were true, then during the first operation the patient would lose his vision. Therefore, only the cornea of ​​the eye is included in the operation. Most likely, Lasik and PRK are confused with laser coagulation of the retina; it is often performed before laser correction. But this is an optional procedure. Retinal damage can occur without surgery, if you have the prerequisites for this.

Also read: And why?

Many people say that the ophthalmologists who perform these operations wear glasses themselves. Are they hiding something? In fact, there are no secrets in correction. Do not forget that this surgical intervention, like other operations, does not provide a 100% guarantee of a good result. Everyone who goes under a knife or laser must understand the risk.

Consequences of laser vision correction

Many people are afraid of bad consequences after laser vision correction. Yes, there may be consequences, but their percentage is so small that if the right approach, it does not exceed 0.05%. Deterioration of vision after surgery may be due to the following reasons:

• Incomplete correction. The patient was left with 0.5 – 0.7 diopters of myopia, astigmatism or farsightedness. In this case, additional correction is carried out, but not less than after 3 months. Such cases are very rare, and do not exceed 1 eye in 200 operations, and they happen even less frequently.
• Light cloudiness. Also a rare occurrence. Quick identification of problems in the patient helps to almost completely eliminate these problems. Complications can also occur if there are deviations in the operation itself.

All materials on the site were prepared by specialists in the field of surgery, anatomy and specialized disciplines.
All recommendations are indicative in nature and are not applicable without consulting a doctor.

The light beam is refracted several times in the eyeball before hitting the sensory cells and further along the nerve pathway into the brain. The main site of this process is the lens. How we perceive an object depends mainly on its properties and abilities. To correct pathological changes in the lens is quite difficult, the most effective way is to replace it - a complex, high-tech operation.

But there is alternative method– impact on the cornea. This is one of the layers of the spherical eyeball. It is here that the primary refraction of light occurs before it hits the lens. Non-surgical vision correction for farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism involves exposing the cornea to a laser and changing its curvature.

Indications for laser vision correction

The operation is performed for three main eye diseases:

• Myopia. This disease is also called myopia. It occurs as a result of a change in the shape (stretching) of the eyeball. Focus is formed not on the retina, but in front of it. As a result, the image appears blurry to the person. Correction of myopia is possible by wearing glasses, contact lenses, laser and surgical methods. Eliminating the cause of the disease - the altered shape of the eyeball - is currently impossible.
• Farsightedness. The disease occurs due to a decrease in the size of the eyeball, decreased accommodation of the lens (often occurs in old age), and insufficient refractive power of the cornea. As a result, the focus of nearby objects is formed behind the retina, and they appear blurry. Farsightedness is often accompanied by headaches. Correction is carried out by wearing glasses, lenses, and laser operations.
• Astigmatism. This term refers to a person's ability to see clearly. It arises from an abnormality in the shape of the eye, lens or cornea. The focus of the image is not formed on the retina. The disease is often accompanied by migraines, eye pain, and rapid fatigue when reading. It can be corrected by wearing special glasses with different longitudinal and transverse curvature of the lenses. But the most effective is laser surgery.

All these diseases are united under the general name “ametropia”. This includes ailments associated with problems with focusing the eye.

Indications for vision correction surgery for the three diseases described are:

1. The patient's desire to get rid of glasses and contact lenses.
2. Age from 18 to 45 years.
3. Refractive indexes for myopia are from -1 to -15 diopters, for farsightedness – up to +3 diopters, for astigmatism – up to +5 diopters.
4. Intolerance to glasses or contact lenses.
5. Professional needs of patients, the requirement of special visual acuity and speed of reaction to the image.
6. Stable vision. If the deterioration gradually progresses (more than 1 per year), then you first need to stop this process, and then talk about laser correction.

Contraindications

The operation is not performed in the following cases:

Preparation for laser correction

The patient must stop wearing glasses or contact lenses at least a week before the correction. It is better to take a vacation during this time. This is necessary for the cornea to take its natural shape. Then the correction will be more adequate and accurate. The doctor may increase the period of refusal from artificial lenses at his discretion.

Each clinic has a list necessary tests which must be taken before surgery. Usually this is the absence or presence of certain infections, blood tests, and urine tests. Test results have a limited validity period - from 10 days to a month.

For two days you need to stop drinking alcohol and using eye makeup. Before visiting the clinic, it is better to wash your hair and face. It is important to get a good night's sleep, calm down and not be nervous before laser vision correction. If the patient feels too scared or anxious, the doctor may recommend mild sedatives.

Types of operation

There are two main methods of correction - PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and (laser keratomyelosis). The first operation allows you to correct myopia up to 6 diopters, astigmatism up to 2.5-3 diopters. Both types of laser correction are carried out sequentially: first on one eye, then on the other. But this happens within the framework of one operation.

For laser correction of farsightedness and myopia complicated by astigmatism, Lasik is more often used. This is because PRK requires a long (up to 10 days) healing time. Each type of operation has its pros and cons, but still Lasik is a more promising direction, so this method is most often preferred.

Photorefractive keratectomy

The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The doctor treats the eyelid and eyelashes with an antiseptic. Sometimes an additional antibiotic is instilled to prevent infection. The eye is fixed using an eyelid speculum and washed with saline solution.

At the first stage, the doctor removes the epithelium. He can do this surgically, mechanically and laser. After this, the process of evaporation of the cornea begins. It is carried out only with a laser.

The method is limited by the required residual thickness of the cornea. To perform its functions, it must be at least 200-300 microns (0.2-0.3 mm). To determine the optimal shape of the cornea and, accordingly, the degree of its evaporation, complex calculations are carried out using special computer programs. The shape of the eyeball, the ability of the lens to accommodate, and visual acuity are taken into account.

In some cases, it is possible to refuse excision of the epithelium. Then the operations are faster and with less risk of complications. In Russia, a domestically produced Profile-500 installation is used for this purpose.

Laser intrastromal keratomyelosis

Preparations are similar to those for PRK. The cornea is marked with safe ink. A metal ring is placed over the eye, which additionally secures it in one position.

The operation takes place under local anesthesia in three stages. On the first the surgeon creates a flap from the cornea. He detaches the superficial layer, leaving it attached to the underlying tissue, using a microkeratome instrument - specially modeled for eye microsurgery.

laser vision correction: progress of the operation

The doctor removes excess fluid with a sterile swab. At the second stage he folds back the flap and laser vaporizes the cornea. The entire process takes less than one minute. During this time, the flap is also covered with a sterile swab. At the third stage the separated piece is placed in its place, according to the previously applied marks. After rinsing the eye with sterile water, the doctor smoothes the flap. No sutures are required; the cut-off piece is fixed on its own due to negative pressure inside the cornea.

The possibility of performing an operation is determined largely by the anatomical structure of the patient's eye. To implement this, it is necessary that the cornea of ​​the eye is of sufficient size. The flap must have a thickness of at least 150 microns. The deep layers of the cornea remaining after evaporation are at least 250 microns.

Video: how laser vision correction is done

Postoperative period, patient instructions

On the first day after laser correction, the following reactions are normal:

• Pain in the operated eye. With Lasik, it is usually insignificant and feels like a foreign object getting under the eyelid.
• Discomfort when looking at light.
• Tearing.

The patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics and corticosteroids to prevent the development of infectious or non-infectious inflammation. Beta blockers may be prescribed to prevent increased intraocular pressure.

In the first few days after surgery, the patient is recommended to:

• Be in a darkened room. Light can cause pain and stinging in the eyes. It unnecessarily irritates the cornea, which prevents its healing.
• Avoid touching the eye, especially in the first day. Important! The patient may feel as if a speck has gotten under his or her eyelid; there is no need to try to remove it! If the discomfort is very severe, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. If there is no cause for concern, he may prescribe desensitizing medications.
• Refusal to shower and wash. It is very important that your eyes are not exposed to any chemical agents that may be contained in soap or shampoo. Even water sometimes has Negative influence on the operated eye.
• Avoid alcohol until the course of medication is completed. Antibiotics are incompatible with alcohol. It also makes many other drugs work worse.

During the first few weeks it is advisable to:

1. Stop smoking and visiting polluted places. Smoke has a bad effect on the cornea, causes it to become dry, and impairs its nutrition and blood supply. Because of this, it may heal more slowly.
2. Do not engage in sports that may impact the eyes - swimming, wrestling, etc. Injuries to the cornea during the recovery period are extremely undesirable and can lead to irreparable consequences.
3. Avoid eye strain. It is important not to spend a lot of time at the computer, reading a book or watching TV. You should also avoid driving in the evening.
4. Avoid bright light, wear sunglasses.
5. Do not use cosmetics for eyelids and eyelashes.
6. Do not wear contact lenses for 1-2 weeks.

Risks and consequences of the operation

There are early and late postoperative complications. The first ones usually appear within a few days. These include:

• Non-healing corneal erosion. Its treatment is quite complex and requires consultation with specialized specialists. Common methods of therapy are the use of collagen coatings of the cornea, contact vision correction (use of soft lenses).
• Reduced thickness of the epithelial layer, its progressive destruction. It is accompanied by swelling and the development of erosions.
• Keratitis (inflammation of the eye). It can be infectious or non-infectious in nature. Keratitis manifests itself in redness of the eye, pain, and irritation.
• Opacities in the evaporation zones of the cornea. They can occur for more later rehabilitation period. Their cause is excessive evaporation of corneal tissue. The complication, as a rule, responds well to treatment with the use of resorption therapy. In some cases, it is necessary to resort to repeated surgery.

The overall rate of long-term complications with Lasik is 1-5%, with PRK – 2-5%. In later stages, the following may appear: negative consequences laser correction:

Vision restoration

For the final determination of the success or failure of the operation, as well as for the stabilization of its results, a rather long period usually must pass. Recovery period can take up to 3 months. Only after its expiration can a conclusion be made about the effectiveness of the treatment, as well as subsequent corrective measures.

Results vary depending on the type of surgery, underlying disease, and degree of vision impairment. The best results are possible when corrected for initial stages violations.

For myopia

The most predictable operation is Lasik. It allows in 80% of cases to achieve correction with an accuracy of 0.5 diopters. In half of the cases, in patients with slight myopia, vision is completely restored (acuity value – 1.0). In 90% of cases it improves to 0.5 or higher.

With severe myopia (more than 10 diopters), repeat surgery may be required in 10% of cases. In this case it is called additional correction. During this procedure, the already cut-off flap is raised and additional evaporation of part of the cornea is carried out. Such operations are carried out 3 and/or 6 months after the first procedure.

It is quite difficult to provide exact data regarding PRK vision correction. The average visual acuity is 0.8. The accuracy of the operation is not very high. The diagnosis of undercorrection or overcorrection is made in 22% of cases. Visual impairment occurs in 9.7% of patients. In 12% of cases, the result does not stabilize. The big advantage of using PRK compared to Lasik is the low risk of keratoconus after surgery.

For farsightedness

In this case, vision restoration, even with the Lasik method, does not follow such an optimistic scenario. Only in 80% of cases it is possible to achieve a visual acuity score of 0.5 or higher. Only in a third of patients the functions of the eye are fully restored. The accuracy of the operation in the treatment of farsightedness also suffers: only 60% of patients have a deviation from the planned refraction value of less than 0.5 diopters.

PRK is used to treat farsightedness only if the Lasik method is contraindicated. The results of such correction are quite unstable, which means that quite serious regression is possible over the years. With a weak degree of farsightedness, it is satisfactory only in 60-80% of cases, and with severe impairments - only in 40% of cases.

For astigmatism

With this disease, both methods manifest themselves almost identically. Research from 2013 was published on the Ophthalmology Portal. According to the results of observations, “no statistically significant difference was found in effectiveness [efficacy index = 0.76 (±0.32) for PRK versus 0.74 (±0.19) for LASIK (P = 0.82)], safety [safety index = 1 .10 (±0.26) for PRK vs. 1.01 (±0.17) for LASIK (P = 0.121)] or predictability [achieved: astigmatism<1 Д в 39% операций, выполненных методом ФРК и 54% - методом ЛАСИК и <2 D в 88% ФРК и 89% ЛАСИК (P = 0,218)”.

However, it is worth noting that the success rate of operations is not too high - 74-76%. And also the improvement in vision when using the Lasik method is slightly higher than with PRK.

The cost of laser vision correction, surgery under compulsory medical insurance policy

The question of the possibility of free vision correction is quite controversial. Insurance companies tend to classify such operations as cosmetic, which, according to the law, are paid for by patients themselves.

There is information about the possibility of receiving such assistance for military personnel and their relatives in military hospitals. So, on the website of the Military Medical Academy named after. CM. Kirov city of St. Petersburg indicated: “The Academy provides inpatient and outpatient treatment to military personnel and their families, as well as citizens who have compulsory medical insurance or voluntary health insurance policies from companies that have entered into an agreement with the Military Medical Academy. Without a policy, the VMA provides services to the population on a paid basis.” The list of medical procedures provided includes “ laser correction of visual acuity“. Probably, in general practice, such operations are carried out free of charge if there is an agreement with a specific hospital in the region of military service/residence and the technical capabilities of the medical institution.

The vast majority of laser vision correction operations are carried out on a paid basis. However, working citizens can return a tax deduction of 13% by writing an application. Also, many companies provide discounts to their regular customers and some social groups - pensioners, disabled people, students.

The cost depends on the type of operation, clinic and region. On average, PRK in Moscow costs 15,000 rubles. Lasik, depending on the modification of the method, ranges from 20,000 to 35,000 rubles. Prices are for vision correction in one eye.

Clinics in Moscow and St. Petersburg

The most popular and well-known medical centers in the two largest cities of Russia are:

To do or not to do vision correction is a question that the patient must decide for himself first. This operation is not considered necessary or vital. However, the majority of patients who have undergone laser correction report a huge improvement in their quality of life and their well-being.

Video: LASIK laser vision correction – patient review

Video: laser vision correction - progress of the operation

Hello, dear friends!

Still, thoughts about laser vision correction do not leave me alone. I can’t even believe that you can get rid of eye problems once and for all, break your glasses, flush your lenses down the toilet and live a full life.

“But this is still an operation, an intervention in the body. Think 100 times!” - Mom warns me.

“The correction costs money. What if it doesn’t help? - the husband is being miserly.

“Perhaps it would be better to do all sorts of exercises, drops, vitamins?” - whispers a cautious inner voice.

My dears, my dears!!! Where does this pessimism come from? Read this interesting article, you will find out that the history of laser vision correction goes back 30 years, and during this time the technique of performing the operation has been perfected. Do you also have doubts, dear readers? So, you should also study the information from this article.

Apparently, the issue of the safety of operations to restore vision occupies one of the main places in the minds of Russians.

Laser correction, the most popular method of correcting myopia, farsightedness and astigmatism, is the subject of a lot of articles and studies, and is discussed by visitors to numerous forums and blogs. And among adequate and truthful information, various kinds of conjectures and judgments often slip through, which truly frighten the inexperienced reader seeking the truth.

What you won’t learn from the messages of well-meaning online visitors: it’s both harmful and painful, and during correction they remove a layer of the cornea, but the problem ITSELF is not eliminated, and you will have to walk around with a blindfold for several months, and laser correction cannot be done on nulliparous women, and vision then falls again... Horror, Horror, I want to close my eyes and, exhaling, say: “No-no, I won’t let you cut my eyes, it’s better to look like that!”

Cut your eyes! Where did this even come from? And who came up with horror stories about bandages, the lack of statistics on laser corrections and other misconceptions? It’s difficult to answer this question, but in order to establish the truth once and for all, let’s turn to an irrefutable source: the history of the issue.

Radial keratotomy

So, the first method of vision correction called “radial keratotomy” appeared back in the 30s. last century. Its essence was that incisions were applied to the cornea of ​​the eye (from the pupil to the periphery of the cornea), which subsequently grew together.

As a result, the shape of the cornea changed and vision improved. However, these first vision correction operations were accompanied by many serious complications (one of them was clouding of the cornea, leading to loss of vision).

The accuracy and stability of the result of such vision correction also left much to be desired, since the speed of healing depends on the individual speed of regeneration of the cells of each person’s body - some can boast that their wounds heal instantly, while others are forced to walk with a bandage for weeks due to for the slightest scratch...

And besides this, the surgeon’s instruments were often far from micron precision. It was this method that gave rise to many rumors and prejudices that frighten people of the 21st century.

This method received a new life in the 70s, when it was improved by the famous ophthalmic surgeon Svyatoslav Fedorov. New diamond instruments and microscopes have already appeared, allowing the radial keratotomy method to move to a qualitatively new level.

However, this technique still required a long period of rehabilitation, and was often accompanied by complications; the patient could lose vision from accidental stress during any load. Well, the question of the predictability of the result and the accuracy of its execution still remained open.

Few managed to obtain the desired “unit”. This is where the roots of many prejudices about laser vision correction come from. Therefore, attempts to find another way to restore good vision were not abandoned.

The history of the excimer laser, actively used in modern ophthalmology, begins in 1976. Then the attention of medical scientists was attracted by the developments of IBM Corporation. IBM specialists used a laser beam to engrave the surface of computer chips. This procedure required truly jewelry precision (down to microns). Therefore, this know-how seriously interested doctors.

As a result of the research, doctors have established that the safety of using a laser beam and the ability to control it in depth and diameter of the impact zone is of particular importance in such a delicate area as refractive surgery. And the triumphant march of laser vision correction technology began.

In 1985, the first laser vision correction using the PRK technique was performed. As with radial keratotomy, the cornea of ​​the eye was directly exposed. But the principle of influence was completely different. No notching was required. The shape of the cornea changed under the influence of a laser, which evaporated tissue from its surface and formed a new surface.

High accuracy made it possible to achieve good predictability of the result and a significant reduction in the side effects of vision correction. But for the patient, the period of restoration of the surface layer (2-4 days) was extremely unpleasant, and adaptation ended only after 3-4 weeks. But, despite this, the patients were very satisfied, because the acquired excellent vision made it possible to very quickly forget about these unpleasant sensations.

Lasik technique

The most popular Lasik technique today appeared in 1989. Its main advantage was that the superficial layers of the cornea were not affected, and the evaporation of corneal tissue occurred from the middle layers.

This method of laser correction has become a real revolution in refractive surgery, and today LASIK allows vision correction to be carried out under local anesthesia in a few minutes, significantly reducing the recovery period.

During correction, using a special device - a microkeratome, the surface layer of the cornea with a thickness of 130-150 microns is bent, after which the laser evaporates part of the cornea and the flap is placed in place. Restoration of the epithelium along the edge of the flap occurs within a few hours after correction, and it is securely fixed; the patient immediately notices a significant improvement in vision. Its sharpness is finally restored within a few days.

LASIK technology underwent multi-stage clinical trials before it began to be used in ophthalmology centers and clinics. Long-term observations of patients have shown that the excimer laser does not cause any disorders, since the impact occurs only on one of the refractive media - the cornea, and the depth of impact is strictly limited.

Today, medical centers and clinics in 45 countries work with it. Over the past 10 years, about 5 million vision corrections using the Lasik technique have been performed worldwide. In the USA and Japan, the procedure for restoring vision using laser vision correction has long gone beyond the confines of specialized clinics.

Often small laser correction centers can be seen in the territories of large shopping and entertainment complexes, next to dental and cosmetology offices and beauty salons. The patient undergoes a vision diagnosis, and then, according to the data obtained during the examination, the doctor makes a correction.

In addition, the US government, as part of the National Armed Forces Improvement Program, year after year pays for laser vision correction for military personnel of all ranks and branches of the military.

The high level of safety of the procedure and advanced laser installations of the latest generation have made the laser correction procedure simple and accessible to everyone. Of course, we must not forget that, like any medical method, laser correction has some contraindications and limitations. It is not recommended for people suffering from:

• HIV infection
• tuberculosis
• diabetes
• some skin and eye diseases
• pregnant women
• nursing mothers

But for those who can restore their vision using this technology, the correction becomes a real salvation. After all, it is an incomparable pleasure to look and see the world around us bright and clear every day.

Among the thousands of people who have undergone laser vision correction, there is not a single one who would at least once regret their decision to give up glasses and contact lenses. Former patients of ophthalmologists often admit that only after laser correction did they begin to feel like full-fledged people.

It's so nice to not care about the fact that you might not see something. Having made the correction, they persuade all their visually impaired friends to do this feat. And they, in turn, then wonder why they were so poorly persuaded and could not be convinced earlier?

The truth about laser correction is that it really helps get rid of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Today it is the most reliable and perfect way to restore vision, allowing you to forget about glasses and contact lenses once and for all!

http://excimerclinic.ru/press/true/

Day of laser vision correction surgery through the patient's eyes

DAY OF OPERATION. This is how one patient describes LASIK laser vision correction surgery.

9.30 This morning I find myself away from cosmetics and perfumes, which is mandatory for eye surgery. I have not been wearing contact lenses for two weeks now, so that my eye returns to its normal state before the operation.

10.00 After a light breakfast, I leave the house accompanied by my husband. During the operation he will wait for me and then take me home.

11.00 ARRIVAL at the clinic
"Good morning, how are you?" They greet me warmly at the reception. Yesterday I wrote a statement of consent to the operation. I have no more questions, and I am invited to the reception department.

11.10 Brief eye examination. The doctor checks my eyes one last time before surgery.

11.20 In the preparation room I receive a cap and shoe covers that I need to wear during the operation. Then they put some local anesthetic medicine in my eye and disinfect the skin around my eyes. "How are you feeling?" the nurse asks me. She offers me a sedative for any possible nervousness.

11.30-11.50 OPERATION
I go to the operating room and lie down on the bed. The doctor opens my eyes and instills eye drops into me again.

11.45 I feel a brief pressure, it becomes dark, the eye is treated with a microkeratome knife. Then it becomes light again and I can hear the laser working on my eye. I do not feel anything.

11.50 Having finished the work, the doctor asks me: “Are you feeling well?” I feel good and can already get up. The doctor checks the result of the operation using a special lamp - he is happy with everything.

11.55 I can leave the operating room and change clothes. Then I sit on the sofa in the clinic lobby and relax. Laser eye surgery is over. A polite nurse offers me coffee.

12.15 The operated eyes are checked again. Everything is fine! I am given antibiotic eye drops and some simple advice.

12.20 WE ARE LEAVING

"Bye see you tomorrow!" — the receptionist says goodbye to me after she has scheduled my follow-up visit for the next day.

http://www.cvz.ru/laser-correction/operation-laser/den-operacii-glazami-pacienta/

Thanks to developments in modern ophthalmology, the use of a scalpel is becoming less and less common during operations. This is due to the fact that new techniques are emerging in ophthalmology and eye microsurgery, with the help of which the operation is performed using laser.

Compared to other types of operations, this is the safest and most effective method of surgical therapy in microsurgery.

It is mainly prescribed to patients aged 18 to 55 years who have a disorder:

• Myopia.
• Hypermetropia.

The main task during laser eye correction is to achieve precise focusing of the image on the retina of the eyeball. So that the patient regains the sharpness of visual perception and clarity of display of surrounding objects.

Advantages of laser surgery

Laser surgery has been used in medical practice for about 30 years. During this time, observations have shown its superiority compared to other surgical interventions.

The main positive qualities include:

Indications for laser surgery

Indications:

In addition, surgical treatment can be performed:

• If the value is from 1 to 15 diopters.
• Hypermetropia from 1 to 6 diopters.
• Astigmatism 0.5 to 5 diopters.

Contraindications for laser surgery

As with any type of therapy, laser eye correction cannot be performed in all cases. There are many reasons why surgery is not performed.

The most common reasons for refusing laser surgery:

Such pathologies make it possible to develop irreversible changes after surgery.

If the patient, for any reason, uses steroid medications or medications aimed at suppressing the immune system, then the process of regeneration and recovery in the postoperative period may be delayed.

Relative contraindications

Relative restrictions are temporary, and as they are eliminated, surgical intervention can be performed.

Absolute contraindications

But there are situations in which laser surgery is completely excluded:

Preparing for surgery

Before the operation you must:

Immediately before laser surgery, the patient must:

Equipment for laser correction

Modern ophthalmological clinics are equipped with the latest types of laser systems that allow high-precision operations.

Excimer laser WaveLight EX500

This is a device, the latest achievement of scientists in the field of laser ophthalmology. Has increased laser speed.

This contributes to a minimal thermal effect on the cornea of ​​the eye.

It does not cause symptoms of dehydration, which has a beneficial effect in the postoperative period (rapid tissue healing occurs).

When using this setting, the laser depth can be automatically adjusted. This allows you to obtain data on the thickness of the cornea at all stages of the operation, if necessary.

The infrared tracking system allows you to monitor the position of the eyeball in relation to the center of the pupil or the edge of the cornea. This significantly increases the accuracy of all manipulations.

You can achieve a positive effect:

• For myopia up to 14 diopters.
• Astigmatism and farsightedness up to 6 diopters.

VISX Star S4 IR laser

Unlike other laser systems, this device allows vision correction in advanced forms of myopia and hypermetropia.

After vision correction, the installation creates a smoothed corneal surface.

The use of this device minimizes the development of side effects and rapid recovery in the postoperative period.

It is possible to eliminate myopia if the indicators of visual impairment do not exceed 16 diopters. For farsightedness and astigmatism, the indicator should be no more than 6 diopters.

Femtosecond laser FS200 WaveLight

This device is a record holder for the formation of a corneal flap. This manipulation can be performed within 6 seconds.

With another device, you need to spend 20 seconds to carry out such actions.

What is unique is that, using this laser model, the ophthalmologist has the opportunity to form a corneal flap, while completely controlling its thickness, diameter, alignment and morphology.

Does not cause damage to nearby tissues and blood vessels. This device allows laser correction to be performed on patients who have anatomically thin corneas.

Microkeratome

Using these devices, laser eye correction is performed using the .

In this case, the inner layers of the cornea are affected.

It is very important that most of these devices can operate without external power sources (autonomous).

Moria Evolution 3

Allows you to perform the preparatory stage of forming a corneal flap.

The design of the device makes it possible to take an individual approach to this stage of the operation, taking into account.

In the vast majority of cases this gives a positive result. And the patient’s sensations, discomfort or pain practically do not appear.

Epikeratome Epi-K

The purpose of this device is to separate the epithelial layer of the cornea, which creates the opportunity for subsequent laser correction.

The uniqueness of this device is that the removed epithelial flap has a minimum thickness, and the subsequent operation is performed in a gentle manner.

Photorefractive keratectomy and laser intrastromal keratomyelosis

To correct vision using a laser, three main techniques are used.

They are considered:

• FRK(photorefractive keratectomy). This technique was one of the first to appear. It is used to this day to eliminate the symptoms of myopia in the early stages. Initially, the epithelial layer of the cornea is removed, the deeper layers are evaporated. Recovery after surgery occurs within 5 days, less often it can take a week.
• LASEK(subepithelial keratomileusis). The operation is mainly performed on patients with an individual characteristic of a thin corneal layer. Using Bowman's membrane, stroma, and the epithelial layer, a valve is created, which is fixed with a contact lens. The operation is usually well tolerated by patients, the rehabilitation period occurs in a short time.
• LASIK(laser keratomileusis). Compared to other methods of laser corneal correction, this is the safest and most gentle type of surgery. Surgical intervention is divided into two stages:
  • First, the superficial corneal layer is cut off with a laser beam.
  • The second stage involves the elimination of pathological processes in the deep layers of the cornea, followed by restoration of the cut-off layer.

This technique allows you to get rid of advanced forms of any eye pathologies. The main advantage of this type of operation is the almost complete absence of complications and side effects.

Recently, this technique has expanded and been supplemented in three areas:

• Super LASIK. It occurs using a high-precision apparatus, taking into account the individual structural features of the patient’s visual organs. Has higher efficiency rates than previous methods.
• Femto Super LASIK. The method is similar to the previous version, the main difference is the cutting of the cornea using a femto laser.
• Presby LASIK. Surgical intervention using this technique is performed in people over 40 years of age.

According to most experts, the most promising and safest method is LASIK.

Postoperative period

To avoid negative reactions from the body and the occurrence of complications, it is necessary to comply with the rules and regulations that are prescribed by the ophthalmologist:

Consequences of surgery performed using a laser

Like any type of surgical intervention, when performing laser vision correction, unwanted side effects may develop.

The consequences include:

Restoring vision in myopia

Most often used:

Restoring vision in case of farsightedness

To cope with this pathological process, you can resort to traditional methods of therapy.

They are:

In addition, people suffering from farsightedness are recommended to use:

Restoring vision with astigmatism

The correct choice of technique in the treatment of astigmatism can only be made by an ophthalmologist. It is impossible to solve this problem on your own.

To carry out complex therapy, the doctor may prescribe:

Cost of laser vision correction

Basically, this type of operation is paid. The approximate price may vary (depending on the region of Russia) from 27,000 to 105,000 rubles. The complexity and type of laser correction are also taken into account.

In some cases, applications from working citizens may be considered, after submission of which it becomes possible to return a tax deduction (13%).

In all other situations, insurance companies consider this type of surgery as a cosmetic procedure. This is an argument for the patient to pay on his own.

Sometimes companies can give a discount to regular customers or low-income social groups.

Conclusion

Laser surgery is a promising method for treating eye pathologies.

In most cases, the patient immediately after the operation forgets what glasses or contact lenses are.

In addition to restored vision, the operation creates a positive psycho-emotional mood for the patient.