Eye surgeries - what are they?

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

Anesthesia is used during the operation, so the patient does not feel pain and often does not feel discomfort.

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

Indications for eye surgery

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

With any ophthalmic intervention, there is a risk of developing pathology and deterioration of vision.The intervention can be unsuccessful and not always everything depends on the ophthalmologist who performs the operation.

Before the intervention, the patient should carefully assess his condition.View information about the selected intervention.Assess contraindications and possible side effects.One must consider 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 (short-sightedness);
• hypermetropia (farsightedness);
• cataracts (clouding of the lens).

Ophthalmic surgery will allow a person to restore lost visual acuity.The person will 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 must weigh the pros and cons.The child cannot make decisions independently.This means that his vision is entirely dependent on the choices of his parents.

Scleroplasty

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

Therefore, if you "introduce" material to strengthen the sclera into the eye of a child, then over time the material will stretch and may lead to deterioration of vision.

Scleroplasty is aimed at stabilizing vision.This is not a corrective intervention.

Duration 20-30 minutes.And it consists in introducing a sclero-strengthening material (patient tissue, synthetic polymers, silicone, etc.) into the eye.The scleral reinforcement material adheres to the outer membrane of the eye.Vision reduction is blocked.

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

Scleroplasty is not recommended in the following cases:

• childhood (up to 5 years);
• psychosomatic disorders;
• the presence of viral or infectious diseases;
• dystrophy of the visual apparatus;
• allergy or hypersensitivity to scleral strengthening material;
• allergy to anesthetic.

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 period of rehabilitation.Includes:

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

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

Scleroplasty costs start at $50 per eye.The price depends on the region of residence, the ophthalmology clinic and the qualification 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 (the clear substance that fills the space between the retina and the lens).It is performed by a highly qualified surgeon.Lasts 1.5-3 hours.

Indications:

• opacification of the vitreous;
• infectious or inflammatory diseases of the inner shell of the eye;
• retinal detachment;
• mechanical injuries leading to displacement of the lens;
• vitreous hemorrhage.

The patient's vitreous 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 degree of clouding of the lens and cornea.

With vitrectomy, vision is restored gradually.The period of recovery of visual acuity lasts 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 performing the intervention.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 "soldered" in time, it will turn into a retinal detachment.Detachment is much more difficult to treat.That is why it is important to undergo an operation - laser coagulation of the retina - in time.

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

The intervention lasts 20 minutes.Before that, the patient is infused with anesthetic drops.

Contraindications:

• blurring of the visual apparatus;
• vascular pathologies (including differences in bleeding);
• reduced visual acuity (if vision 0.1 is not recommended);
• dystrophy of the organs of the visual apparatus.

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

The price of laser coagulation of the retina is from 33 to 830 dollars.

Strabismus correction

Surgery to correct strabismus is usually performed in childhood.Adults seek such intervention most often for acquired strabismus (strabismus).

Indications:

• squint;
• paralysis of the eye muscles.

The intervention allows achieving a cosmetic effect and restoring 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 if conservative (non-surgical) methods do not help.This manipulation is an intervention of particular complexity.

The price is around $330.

Networking

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

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

Contraindications:

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

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

Networking prices start at $330.

Treatment of glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by a periodic or permanent 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.One gets 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, one must follow all the instructions and advice of the attending physician.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.

In general, glaucoma surgery is considered safe.In most cases it is successful.

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

Cataract removal

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

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

Contraindications:

• period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• the presence of infectious ophthalmic 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 1-2 months.Do not perform heavy physical exertion, do not go to the pool, stop driving (1-2 weeks after the operation).After changing 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 once again return to their usual way of life.

Price - from $330.

Laser vision correction

Laser correction is the most popular operation.It is performed when:

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

It lasts 20-30 minutes with the help of anesthetic drops.On the day of the laser correction, the patient goes home.1-2 days after the correction, a person will experience discomfort (sharp reaction to light, lacrimation, pain).But gradually the discomfort disappears.

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 is successful.The patient's vision is fully restored.

The cost of laser correction starts at $330.