Corrective Eye Surgery Information
Genetics play a huge role in whether you need corrective eye wear. Most likely, if your parents wore glasses and bumped into walls when they took them off, you will too. Studies show that 90 percent of all near- and farsightedness runs in families. There are different types of corrective surgeries that can give you the 20/20 vision your genes didn't.
LASIK
A correctly shaped cornea is imperative for good vision. To achieve the best outcome using Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis, the doctor cuts a thin hinged flap in the surface of the eye. This will be lifted and folded over so the laser can be used underneath to reshape the eye. When the lasering is over the flap is simply flipped back and allowed to heal. There is marked improvement in vision almost instantly.
PRK
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a common vision correction surgery for patients with thin corneas or large pupils. This surgery produces results similar to LASIK but is a surface procedure so it does not involve cutting a flap in the eye. An excimer laser is used to remove tissue from the cornea to reshape it. The surgery can be used to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism.
Conductive Keratoplasty
This procedure utilizes radio frequency and a small probe (tinier than a strand of human hair) instead of a laser. A circular pattern of spots is placed around the cornea with low energy radio waves. The connective tissue that was hit with the probe then shrinks, effectively tightening up the cornea and making it steeper. The eye surgeon does not remove any tissue and the procedure takes only minutes. It is recommended for those who are older, to reduce their reliance on reading glasses.
Implantable Lenses
Phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) resemble contact lenses and are placed either behind the iris or between the cornea and the iris. Once they are in place, the patient can't feel them and no maintenance is required. Basically the IOLs function like contacts, except that they are in the eye instead of on top of it. Surgeons may suggest this procedure if the patient has thin corneas or has myopia between -5.00 and -20.00 diopters.
Postoperative
Regardless of the procedure that was performed on your eyes, you must follow your doctor's orders to the letter. Most surgeons advise rest and an eye patch for a day or so. You won't feel pain per se, but perhaps some scratchiness and irritation. Make sure not to rub your eyes: if you've had LASIK, that could disrupt the placement of the flap and ruin your chance at better vision. Avoid exercise for a week or two as well. Make sure to follow up with your doctor as prescribed.
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