Refractive Eye Surgery

Refractive eye surgery is used for correcting eye refractive state. It is to be understood that refractive errors are produced due to irregularities in the shape of the cornea.

The refractive eye surgery is designed in such a way that, it changes the curvature of the cornea improving the vision of the patient.

Refractive Eye Surgery, Facts

This refractive eye surgery is used in vision disorders like nearsightedness (Myopia), astigmatism and farsightedness (Hyperopia). It reduces or eliminates the need of using contact lenses or spectacles. There are different types of refractive eye surgery procedures. These can be mainly classified into the corneal incision, surface and flap procedures.

A brief description of the procedures for refractive eye surgery is mentioned below for easy reference:

Corneal Incision Procedure:

The names for this procedure are derived from the target part of the eye to be undergone surgery. The different types of corneal incision procedure are as follows:

a. Arcuate keratotomy or AK: It is used to correct astigmatism. It is usually done on the periphery of the cornea. It is still used in some peculiar cases such as during cataract surgery or for correction of residual astigmatism.

b. Radial Keratotomy or RK: It is used to reduce myopia or astigmatism by altering the shape of the cornea. This procedure has been overtaken by other procedures like excimer lazer (computer controlled beam of light).

c. Limbal relaxing incisions or LRI: It is used to correct minor astigmatism, performed around the edges of the iris in conjunction of intraocular lens implantation.

Surface Procedure:

In this procedure a excimer lazer is used. The different types of surface procedure are as follows:

a. Photorefractive Keratotomy or PRK: This procedure is done with the application of local anesthetic drops. A excimer lazer is used to reshape the cornea. It is to be noted that recovery time is more with PRK procedure.

b. EPI LASIK: It is a new procedure for correcting eye refractive problems. It is similar to LASEK but it avoids the negative effect of alcohol. Also recovery may involve less discomfort.

c. LASEK (Lazer Assisted Sub-Epithelium Keratomileusis): This procedure also uses excimer lazer to change the shape of the cornea. The healing process may cause more discomfort as compared to PRK.

Flap Procedure:

In this procedure also a excimer lazer is used. The different types of surface procedure are as follows:

a. Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK): A microkeratome instrument is used to do the procedure on patients with nearsightedness and for small degrees of farsightedness. Now a days it is not routinely performed due to improved procedures of refractive eye surgery.

b. LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis): It is a popular surgery procedure for refractive eye problem treatment. It involves less pain, immediate results, adjustments are possible in future, if required. After this procedure many of the patients don’t need spectacles or contact lenses any more.

Below are some of the contradictions to refractive eye surgery:

1. Persons suffering from keratoconus, in which thinning of the cornea takes place progressively is incompatible with refractive eye surgery.

2. Women in pregnancy and persons with other medical conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, glaucoma, vascular disease need to be careful, as these conditions are not suitable for refractive eye surgery.

Refractive Eye Surgery, Problems

1. Dry eye syndrome, ghosting, starbursts and double vision.

2. Accidental flap displacement after years of surgery (LASIK).

So from this moment start taking care of your precious eyes and avoid all these procedures for refractive eye surgery.

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