Eye operations: what are they?

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

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

Thanks to modern technologies, most procedures are successful and painless.But such operations have their own side effects and contraindications.Anyone considering eye surgery should be informed.

Indications for eye surgery

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

With each ophthalmological intervention, there is a risk of developing pathology and deterioration of vision.The intervention can fail and everything does not always depend on the ophthalmologist who performs the operation.

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

Most patients undergo surgery to improve vision in the following conditions:

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

Ophthalmic surgery will allow a person to regain lost visual acuity.The person will once 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 alone.This means that his vision depends entirely on his parents' choice.

Scleroplasty

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

Therefore, if you “introduce” a sclera-strengthening material into a child’s eye, the material will stretch over time and may cause vision deterioration.

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

Lasts 20 to 30 minutes.And this involves introducing a sclero-reinforcing material (patient’s tissue, synthetic polymers, silicone, etc.) into the eye.The sclera-strengthening material adheres to the outer membrane of the eye.The reduction in vision is blocked.

Scleroplasty is prescribed in cases of progressive myopia.In case vision correction is prohibited for any reason.

It is not recommended to perform scleroplasty 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 sclera-enhancing material;
• allergy to an anesthetic drug.

During pregnancy, this intervention is authorized.But it is still recommended to undergo scleroplasty before or after pregnancy.

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

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

It is recommended that you follow all of your doctor's instructions.Instill restorative antibacterial drops.The rehabilitation period will then be favorable and will not suffer negative consequences.

The cost of scleroplasty starts at $50 per eye.The cost depends on the region of residence, ophthalmology clinic and 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 transparent substance that fills the space between the retina and the lens).Performed by a highly qualified surgeon.Lasts 1.5 to 3 hours.

Directions:

• vitreous opacification;
• infectious or inflammatory diseases of the inner lining of the eye;
• retinal detachment;
• mechanical injuries leading to lens dislocation;
• 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 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);
• opacification of the cornea or lens.

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

Laser coagulation of the retina

A lens is placed over the patient's eye through which the laser passes.Retinal tears are repaired using a laser.If the gap is not “welded” in time, it will turn into retinal detachment.Detachment is much more difficult to deal with.Therefore, it is important to undergo surgery on time - laser coagulation of the retina.

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

The procedure lasts 20 minutes.Before that, the patient is given anesthetic drops.

Contraindications:

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

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

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

Strabismus correction

Surgery to correct strabismus usually takes place during childhood.Adults seek such intervention most often in cases of acquired strabismus (strabismus).

Directions:

• squint;
• paralysis of the eye muscles.

The procedure provides a cosmetic effect and restores the patient’s vision.But the vision does not 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 an intervention of particular complexity.

The cost is around $330.

Crosslinking

The operation is carried out on the cornea (the anterior convex part of the eyeball).A small, thin layer of cornea is cut away.The corneal layer is carefully reinforced.A protective lens is placed on it.Crosslinking is prescribed in the following cases:

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

Contraindications:

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

Crosslinking takes no more than an hour.The patient is in the hospital for 2-3 days.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.The result of the intervention lasts 8 to 10 years.

Reticulation prices start at $330.

Glaucoma treatment

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

Surgery to correct glaucoma is temporary (most often).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.The effect of the operation will then 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 this is successful.

The cost of the laser procedure is $130.Surgical intervention – from $330.

Cataract removal

Cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye.Surgical intervention is carried out when conservative treatment methods do not help or in case of serious 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 to 20 minutes.

Contraindications:

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

It is important to observe a rehabilitation period of 1 to 2 months.Do not engage in intense physical activity, do not go to the swimming pool, stop driving (1 to 2 weeks after the operation).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 return to their usual lifestyle again.

Cost – from $330.

Laser vision correction

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

• myopia (nearsightedness);
• farsightedness (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 will feel discomfort (acute reaction to light, tearing, pain).But little by little, 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 this is successful.The patient's vision is completely restored.

The cost of laser correction starts from $330.