|
A) Understanding Lasik Eye Surgery: Lasik eye
surgery is by far the most common form of vision correction available.
Lasik, which is actually an acronym for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, is
a specialized form of refractive laser eye surgery. Dr. Jose Barraquer
first created this surgery, which can only be performed by
ophthalmologists, in 1970.
With Lasik eye surgery, the
ophthalmologist first creates a map of the surface of your cornea. This
allows him or her to identify any irregularities of the cornea, such as
those created by astigmatism. Using this information, the
ophthalmologist is able to determine what corneal tissue will need to be
removed in order to improve vision.
Most
ophthalmologists will also prescribe antibiotics prior to the surgery in
order to help prevent an infection from occurring. Your ophthalmologist
will probably instruct you to also stop wearing contact lenses for a
period of time prior to the surgery in order to allow the cornea to
absorb oxygen and function at its optimal level.
During the
actual surgery, you will remain awake and alert. A mild sedative is
sometimes used, however, in order to help you remain calm and still
while the procedure takes place. In addition, anesthetic eye drops will
be added in order to minimize pain. Using a special laser or a
microkeratome, which is a special cutting tool, the ophthalmologist will
then cut a flap into your cornea. He or she will then pull this flap
back in order to access the middle portion of the cornea, called the
stroma.
Once the stroma is exposed, the ophthalmologist uses a
different type of laser to reshape the cornea. This helps it to properly
reflect light and, therefore, improves vision. There is potential for
complications following Lasik surgery, though these complications are
rare. Some of the possible complications include halos or sunbursts
appearing in the vision while around light sources, dry eyes, and
sensitivity to light, over or under correction, double vision, induced
astigmatism, and wrinkles or debris being left underneath the “flap”
created during surgery.
Some complications also arise due to the
flap becoming detached from the rest of the cornea. This is why it is
especially important for patients to rest their eyes after surgery and
refrain from rubbing their eyes.
B) Lens implants: Another
form of vision correction surgery is the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
implantable lenses. These lenses, which were just approved by the FDA in
December 2005, are able to be implanted into the eyes through tiny
incisions. This amazing implantable contact lens is beneficial to those
who suffer from myopia, or nearsightedness. The incision made in order
to complete this surgery is tiny because the lens can actually be folded
prior to being inserted.
Corrective lens implants are attractive
to those who desire the freedom of never wearing glasses again or having
to insert contacts, but who are nervous about the long term effects of
Lasik eye surgery. In fact, implantable lenses are not permanent like
Lasik eye surgery and can actually be more beneficial to those with high
degrees of myopia who may otherwise be ineligible for corrective
surgery. In fact, if something goes awry with implantable contact
lenses, they can be simply removed or replaced.
This form of
corrective surgery has also been shown to be highly effective. In fact,
the FDA performed a clinical trial during which they focused on 526
people who had undergone surgery for implantable contact lenses. Three
years after undergoing the surgery, 59% of patients had 20/20 vision or
better at 95% had at least 20/40 vision.
Some of the side effects
associated with Lasik eye surgery, such as halos, glares, double vision
and problems with night vision, were found in patients receiving
implantable contact lenses. For all of the patients, however, these
problems either stayed the same or did not worsen over the same
three-year period. As a result of the success of this procedure, 97% of
patients said they would have the procedure again if given the choice.
|
