Myopia surgery is a painless procedure aimed at getting the patient to stop
wearing glasses and contact lenses. It usually results in a quick recovery.
Myopia surgery can be performed using a variety of surgical techniques, and an
ophthalmologist should evaluate each patient’s individual situation during the
initial consultation to determine the most appropriate method of correcting vision problems.
WHAT IS MYOPIA?
Myopia refers to difficulty focusing and seeing distant objects clearly and, in most cases, diagnosis and correction is not problematic. Myopia is a very common visual defect. Currently, several studies have shown that the number of nearsighted people is increasing due to, among other factors, excessive use of
screens and reduced time spent outdoors.
WHEN IS IT POSSIBLE TO PERFORM THE OPERATION?
Laser surgery is indicated for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, in the
following patients:
- Over 18 years of age.
- Your refractive error has been stable for at least one year.
- Have good visual health.
Therefore, the most appropriate time for surgery to correct myopia is when the
patient meets these requirements and the ophthalmologist confirms that the
surgery can be performed initially and after the examination. On the other hand, there are occasions when this intervention is not possible in - the following cases:
- patients with eye diseases
- eyes diagnosed with dry eye or eye diseases such as glaucoma or
keratoconus. - Pregnant and breastfeeding women
The ophthalmologist will perform tests that allow a detailed examination not only
of the eye, but also of the shape and function of the cornea, so that the final
treatment can be specifically efficient to the patient. - These tests are:
- Refractive error value
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement.
- Examination of the inside of the eye.
- Examination of the back of the eye.
If necessary, more tests will be done depending on each patient.
HOW IS MYOPIA SURGERY PERFORMED?
Myopia surgery can be performed by laser or by implanting an intraocular lens.
LASER
The procedure can be divided into three parts:
- The corneal layer is lifted.
- Use the laser to create or mold the shape of the cornea and improve vision.
- The corneal flap is replaced.
The main advantages of the Lasik procedure are: - it is accurate, safe, efficient and predictable.
- It aids in the rapid recovery of vision, which is often felt immediately.
INTRAOCULAR LENS
The insertion of intermediate lenses without changing the shape of the eye has
become an additional option for the correction of myopia in patients who have
not developed presbyopia and because of the characteristics of their eyes,
because the eye itself does not support laser correction.
The lenses are made of biomaterials that can be adjusted for each patient and can solve many refractive problems in a single procedure. The lenses are placed
behind the iris and in front of the lens without changing the shape of the eye.
Refractive surgery procedures usually take very short times of less than an hour
regardless of the technique used.
The patient rests in the hospital for about 30 minutes, during which the specialist performs a second ophthalmologic examination.
After this time, the patient leaves the hospital with good vision, so that he/she can go home on his/her own.
If the procedure recommended by the doctor during the first examination is laser
surgery, it is usually both eyes on the same day, but in the case of intraocular lens
surgery, it usually starts with one eye and after a few days the other eye is
operated on.
CAN ALL TYPES OF MYOPIA BE OPERATED?
For refractive surgery, the maximum diopters for myopia, hyperopia and
astigmatism are:
Myopia; Between 10 and 12 diopters.
Hyperopia: up to 5 diopters.
Astigmatism: normally astigmatism does not have a limit to be corrected.
These numbers are approximate and may vary according to the characteristics of the patient. Very low myopia, such as values of less than 1 diopter, are not
recommended for surgery either.
RISKS OF MYOPIA SURGERY
The risk of laser surgery or myopia surgery is very low because it is an effective
and safe procedure, as long as the indications are correct. However, the
complications that can be serious, as with any surgery, are corneal infections.
These problems are completely rare.
Other problems such as corneal ectasia may occur but these are very rare cases,
most of these side effects are temporary and disappear days or weeks after
surgery.
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