Laser vision correction and myopia

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Almost every third inhabitant of Europe suffers from myopia. Usually it is corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but it is not ideal for athletes and people in certain professions. Laser vision correction is a convenient solution, but not every person with myopia will benefit from it. What are the contraindications and possible complications of laser vision treatment?

When to correct myopia with a laser?

Short-sightedness is one of the most common eye defects, but it can be successfully corrected. In addition to glasses and contact lenses, there are many techniques for laser myopia correction. There are more of them than effective treatments for hyperopia.

Usually laser vision correction surgery you can surrender to defects from –1 diopters. At this lower limit, however, it is recommended mainly for professional reasons (driver, pilot, policeman) and when correction with lenses or glasses is an unsatisfactory option. The maximum myopia treated with laser is usually down to -10 diopters. However, the upper limit is flexible and depends on the office and the result of the doctor’s consultation.

To undergo laser myopia correction, you must be at least 21 years old and have a stabilized vision defect. AT children with myopia traditional glasses or ortokorekcja are used, i.e. night therapy with the use of individually designed lenses.

Laser vision correction for high myopia

Although, according to indicative data, for myopia defects up to -10 dioptres qualify for laser vision correction, in practice it all depends on the tests performed and the available technology. The doctor individually analyzes the patient’s results and determines whether an operation can be performed.

Not every case high myopia eligible for laser correction. Such procedures involve the modification of the cornea, and in the case of significant defects, this part of the eye is usually not the only problem. You may need microsurgery on the lens. There is also a method of correcting myopia even down to -23 diopters – this is possible thanks to the implantation of a phakic lens.

Laser myopia correction – methods

For laser myopia correction, excimer and femtosecond lasers are used, and the appropriate type of surgery can be selected from a pool of methods such as PRK, EBK, LASEK, LASIK, SBK LASIK, FemtoLASIK or Wavefront. One of the newest techniques is the ReLEx Smile laser treatment designed for myopia from -0,5D to -10D, as well as myopic astigmatism from –0,25D to –5D.

The doctor who will conduct an interview and preliminary examinations during the qualifying visit will help you choose the appropriate method of laser vision correction.

Read more about laser vision correction using methods:

  1. ReLEx Smile;
  2. FemtoLASIK;
  3. EBK;
  4. LASEK.

If you have a vision defect, take advantage of the medonetmarket.pl offer and make an appointment for a laser vision correction procedure. The procedure is quick and completely safe and allows you to forget about wearing glasses and lenses forever.

Contraindications for laser myopia correction

The main contraindications for laser myopia correction are unstable defect, too young age, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also, too large a defect may disqualify a candidate for surgery, especially if myopia is accompanied by degenerative changes. However, many methods make it possible to treat myopia with the accompanying astigmatism.

Laser treatments are also not performed in the case of some chronic diseases, including diabetes, immunological diseases, cancer, neurological diseases, skin (atopy, psoriasis), heart and thyroid diseases. Contraindications include eye disorders such as glaucoma, cataracts, fundus and retinal changes, retinal detachment, inflammation.

Read more about it: Can anyone get laser vision correction?

How is laser myopia correction performed?

The surgery for myopia involves flattening the cornea and modeling its shape with a laser. The patient must be properly prepared for it – for 2-4 weeks before the procedure he cannot wear lenses, and the day before the procedure he should refrain from using alcohol and using make-up cosmetics.

Stages of laser myopia correction surgery depend on the technique of the operation. The main steps are as follows:

  1. Preparation of the patient – administration of anesthesia in the form of eye drops, disinfection of the eye area and immobilization of the eyelids.
  2. Corneal flap separation – chemical (PRK, LASEK), mechanical (EPI-LASEK, EBK), laser (FemtoLASIK) or laser incision (ReLEx Smile).
  3. Modeling the cornea with a laser, i.e. the correct correction of the defect.
  4. Protection of the eyeball – may include the application of a corneal flap to the site and application of a dressing lens.

Recommendations after surgery for the correction of myopia

A person who has undergone laser vision surgery should follow the doctor’s instructions. They are designed to speed up the recovery process and reduce the risk of complications. First of all, after the treatment, you should rest for a minimum of a week, save your eyesight, protect your eyes from UV radiation, pressure, and give up strenuous physical activity. It is also inadvisable to swim in a pool or other water reservoirs for at least one month after eye surgery.

It is important to look after the right ones moisturizing the eyesfor the eye drops prescribed by your doctor. You should also avoid staring at the TV or laptop screen for a long time, and be careful with dry air (also in an airplane). If you are in pain, you can take painkillers.

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