treatments

DEFINItion

Eximer laser can also correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The procedure is called LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis) when it involves cutting flaps of the cornea, or PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) when no cuts are involved, only a surface laser ablation is performed. This procedure modifies the cornea, the most superficial layer of the eye, to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses by correcting myopia of up to 8 diopters, hyperopia of up to 4 diopters, and regular astigmatism of up to 6 diopters.

The procedure consists of "reshaping" the cornea with the correction that the patient uses in eyeglasses or contact lenses. This technology emits computer-controlled pulses of light to the cornea.

Both the surgical procedure and the post-surgical recovery are painless; foreign body sensation and tearin can be experienced after surgery.
Anesthesia does not create any problems either, as it is administered in the form of eye drops.

Hyperopia
In hyperopia, the eyeball is “shorter” than normal, so the light that comes in focuses behind the retina, creating a “blurred” image for objects that are near.

Astigmatism
With astigmatism, the light rays that come in focus on different areas of the retina. This causes a distortion of the image perceived for far and close objects. In eyes without astigmatism, the cornea or external layer of the eye is aspheric. In eyes with astigmatism, however, the cornea has an oval shape.

Duration
It is a short procedure: in general, it takes no more than 5 minutes.


Refractive surgery is always an elective procedure.

Postoperative
It requires few follow-up controland allows the patient to return to normal activities immediately. The only precaution is to avoid rubbing the eyes.

En general, la precisión de esta cirugía es menor cuanto mayor es el defecto óptico.

Result expected
While the procedure is successfully performed in millions of patients around the world, there is no guarantee that the patient will be able to fully do without glasses. This surgery makes up for the optical defect of the eye without modifying the underlying pathology. It does not decrease retinal diseases that nearsighted people suffer.

These disorders, associated with myopia, are likely to arise regardless of whether surgery is performed or not.

particularidades

The procedure consists of "reshaping" the cornea with the correction that the patient uses in eyeglasses or contact lenses. This technology emits computer-controlled pulses of light to the cornea.

Both the surgical procedure and the post-surgical recovery are painless; foreign body sensation and tearin can be experienced after surgery.

Anesthesia does not create any problems either, as it is administered in the form of eye drops.

Alternative Surgical Methods
PRK (Photoretractive Keratectomy) Excimer Surgery.
The excimer “reshapes” the cornea on its surface, leaving an ulcer that disappears after three or four days. For that reason, it is likely to cause more healing problems and post-surgical pain than Excimer Laser surgery. It is indicated for superficial corneal scars and for slight myopia.

LASEK (Laser Assisted Epithelial Keratomileusis) Surgery. In this procedure, the laser is applied on the surface of the cornea, after displacing the top layer, or epithelium.

It does not require cutting flaps of the cornea.

It is indicated for thinner corneas.

Phapic implants are intraocular lenses that are inserted inside the eye, without removing the natural crystalline lens.

Phapic implants for hyperopia are used for severe hyperopia, generally exceeding 6 diopters. When the patient is older than 60 years of age, the crystalline or lens is removed, and intraocular lenses are implanted with the correction required for the patient. When the patient is over 40 years of age, reading glasses are still needed.

Alternative Non-surgical Methods
Correction using eyeglasses.

Correction using contact lenses, if they are well tolerated by the patient.