Eye surgeries - what are they?

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

During surgery, anesthesia is used, so the patient does not experience pain, and often no discomfort.

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

Indications for eye surgery

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

With every ophthalmological intervention, there is a risk of developing pathology and vision deterioration.The intervention may be unsuccessful, and not everything always depends on the ophthalmologist performing the operation.

Before the intervention, the patient must carefully assess his condition.Review information on 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 (nearsightedness);
• hypermetropia (farsightedness);
• cataract (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 should evaluate the pros and cons.The child cannot make decisions on his own.This means that his vision completely depends on the choice of his parents.

Scleroplasty

Does not restore vision completely, but blocks the continued decline in visual acuity.Prescribed mainly 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 changes).

Therefore, if you “introduce” sclera-strengthening material into a child’s eye, then over time the material will stretch and can lead to worsening vision.

Scleroplasty is aimed at stabilizing 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 sclera-strengthening material adheres to the outer membrane of the eye.The decrease in vision is blocked.

Scleroplasty is prescribed for progressive myopia.In the case where vision correction is prohibited for some 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 sclera-reinforcing material;
• allergy to an anesthetic drug.

During pregnancy, this intervention is permitted.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 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 pool or play sports for 4-5 weeks;
• 2-3 weeks (determined individually) wear glasses with filters from ultraviolet rays (after the intervention there is an acute reaction to light);
• limit vigorous physical activity for 8-12 months.

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

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

Indications:

• vitreous opacification;
• infectious or inflammatory diseases of the inner lining of the eye;
• retinal detachment;
• mechanical injuries resulting in dislocation of the lens;
• hemorrhage into 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 restored gradually.The period of restoration of vision 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 on the patient's eye through which the laser is passed.Retinal tears are repaired using a laser.If the gap is not “soldered” in time, it will turn into retinal detachment.Detachment is much more difficult to treat.Therefore, it is important to undergo surgery on time - laser coagulation of the retina.

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

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

Contraindications:

• clouding 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 instructions of the operating doctor are followed, the patient’s vision is restored.

The cost of laser coagulation of the retina is from $33 to $830.

Strabismus Correction

Surgery to correct strabismus usually occurs in childhood.Adults seek such intervention most often in the case of acquired strabismus (squint).

Indications:

• strabismus;
• paralysis of the eye muscles.

The intervention allows for a cosmetic effect and restores the patient’s vision.But vision does not always return in full.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 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 strengthened.A protective lens is placed on top.Crosslinking is prescribed in the following cases:

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

Contraindications:

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

Crosslinking 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 for 8-10 years.

Crosslinking 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 often).Gradually, increased intraocular pressure returns to the patient.

During the rehabilitation period, a person must follow all 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, surgery to treat glaucoma is considered safe.In most cases it is successful.

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

Cataract removal

Cataract is clouding of the lens of the eye.Surgical intervention is performed when conservative treatment methods do not help or in case of severe degrees 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 lactation;
• 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 1-2 months.Do not perform heavy 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.

Within 1-2 months, the lens should “take root” in the patient’s body.A person can again resume his usual way of life.

Cost – from $330.

Laser vision correction

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

• myopia (myopia);
• hypermetropia (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 experience discomfort (acute reaction to light, tearfulness, pain).But gradually the discomfort goes away.

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 completely restored.

The cost of laser correction starts from $330.