Eye surgeries: what are they?

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

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

Thanks to modern technologies, most interventions are successful and painless.But these operations have their own side effects and contraindications.Anyone planning to undergo eye surgery should know about it.

Indications for eye surgery.

Most people believe that ophthalmic 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 vision impairment.The intervention may be unsuccessful, and not everything always depends on the ophthalmologist who performs the operation.

Before the intervention, the patient must carefully evaluate his condition.Review information about the selected intervention.Assess contraindications and possible 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 for the following pathologies:

• myopia (shortsightedness);
• farsightedness (farsightedness);
• cataract (cloudiness of the lens).

Ophthalmic surgery will allow a person to restore lost visual acuity.The person will again be able to perform 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 your vision depends entirely on your parents' choice.

Scleroplasty

It does not restore vision completely, but blocks the continued decline in visual acuity.Mainly prescribed for myopia in people over 18 years of age.This is due to the fact that a child's eye is susceptible to change (the shape of the eye and its components change).

Therefore, if material that strengthens the sclera is “inserted” into a child's eye, over time the material will stretch and may cause worsening vision.

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

Lasts 20-30 minutes.And it consists of introducing sclero-strengthening material (patient tissue, synthetic polymers, silicone, etc.) into the eye.The material that strengthens the sclera adheres to the outer membrane of the eye.Decreased vision is blocked.

Scleroplasty is prescribed for progressive myopia.In the event that vision correction is prohibited for any reason.

It is not recommended to perform scleroplasty in the following cases:

• children's age (up to 5 years);
• psychosomatic disorders;
• the presence of viral or infectious diseases;
• dystrophy of the visual apparatus;
• allergy or hypersensitivity to scleral reinforcement material;
• allergy to an anesthetic drug.

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

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

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

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

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

Vitrectomy

Surgery 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.It lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours.

Indications:

• vitreous opacification;
• infectious or inflammatory diseases of the inner lining of the eye;
• retinal detachment;
• mechanical injuries resulting in 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 to 2 months.

If the operation did not go so well 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);
• opacity of the cornea or lens.

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

Laser coagulation of the retina.

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

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

The intervention lasts 20 minutes.Before this, the patient is instilled with anesthetic drops.

Contraindications:

• opacity of the visual apparatus;
• vascular pathologies (including differences in bleeding);
• reduced visual acuity (with vision 0.1 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 recovers.

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

Strabismus correction

Surgery to correct strabismus usually occurs in childhood.Adults seek this type of intervention most frequently in the case of acquired strabismus (strabismus).

Indications:

• squint;
• paralysis of the eye muscles.

The intervention allows a cosmetic effect and restores the patient's vision.But vision does not always return completely.After the operation, only half of the vision is recovered.

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.

Reticulation

The operation is performed on the cornea (the convex front part of the eyeball).A small, thin layer of the cornea is cut.The corneal layer is carefully reinforced.A protective lens is placed on top.Crosslinking is prescribed in the following cases:

• corneal dystrophy;
• keratoconus;
• keratomalacia;
• "Depletion" of parts of the cornea.

Contraindications:

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

Cross-linking takes no more than 1 hour.The patient remains in the hospital for 2-3 days.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.The result of the intervention lasts between 8 and 10 years.

Reticulation prices start at $330.

Glaucoma treatment

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

Surgery to correct glaucoma is temporary (most of the time).Little by little, the patient again suffers from an increase in intraocular pressure.

During the rehabilitation period, a person must follow all instructions and advice of the treating doctor.Then the effect of the operation will last longer and complications will be avoided.

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

Surgery to treat glaucoma is generally considered safe.In most cases it is successful.

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

cataract removal

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

In its place a new artificial one is placed.The operation lasts between 15 and 20 minutes.

Contraindications:

• pregnancy and lactation period;
• the presence of infectious ophthalmological diseases;
• inflammation;
• psychological 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 to 2 months.Do not do intense physical activity, do not go to the pool, stop driving (1-2 weeks after surgery).After replacing the lens, you should not rub your eyes.

In 1 or 2 months, the lens should "take root" in the patient's body.A person can return to their usual way of life.

Cost – from $330.

Laser vision correction

Laser correction is the most popular operation.Done when:

• myopia (shortsightedness);
• farsightedness (farsightedness)
• astigmatism.

It lasts 20 to 30 minutes using anesthetic drops.On the day of laser correction, the patient goes home.1-2 days after the correction, the person will experience discomfort (acute reaction to light, crying, pain).But little by little the discomfort is disappearing.

Laser correction is contraindicated in the following cases:

• age up to 18 years (determined individually depending on the characteristics of the patient);
• infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• Progressive state of myopia (hyperopia, astigmatism).

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

The cost of laser correction starts from $330.