Long term use of contact lenses and glasses might be uncomfortable in everyday life, it may interfere with simple tasks. Thanks to modern medicine and technology there’s a safe, comfortable, aesthetic and affordable solution at hand. Would you like to know more? We will tell you everything you need to know about refractive eye surgery.
Refractive Eye Surgery is a group of procedures to eliminate refractive errors such as, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. The best option if you´re determined to leave behind contact lenses and prescription glasses.
Types of Laser Refractive Surgery
Our eye has two lenses or ocular diopters, which are manipulated to either reshape the cornea (LASIK) or to replace the crystalline (clear natural lens) with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant (RLE, PHACO).
LASIK
LASIK stands for ‘Laser-Assisted In situ Keratomileusis’. In this type of procedure, corneal tissue is ablated with an excimer laser just below the corneal epithelium, the outermost of the five layers of the cornea. In order to achieve long term results, the stroma of the cornea must be carefully treated, since it easily regenerates the tissue.
Bear in mind that not all patients are suitable candidates for standard LASIK surgery, but you might be eligible for Wavelight LASIK. Once you have been carefully assessed by our specialist, he will determine if you´re an ideal candidate, and the technique that better suits your ocular health and visual needs.
At Oftalmólogos El Tesoro we perform the most advanced refractive eye surgeries with the WaveLight®EX500 Excimer Laser:
Surface Techniques
- Wavelight LASIK
- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy).
- TransPRK (Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy).
How is it performed?
To correct myopia, the laser is used to reshape the elongated and curved corneal eye tissue and correct the refractive error.
In hyperopic LASIK procedure, the area of ablation is exposed and the excimer laser pulses are applied in the periphery of the cornea, to make it more curved.
If the refractive error is astigmatism, where the curvature is asymmetric (egg shaped), the curvier area is flattened to even out the shape.
Is Wavelight LASIK surgery safe?
All surgeries carry some risk of complications and side effects, but Wavelight LASIK is considered one of the safest procedures with a low complication rate. Wavefront guided LASIK has proven to be even safer and more effective than standard LASIK. But it does come with a small risk of side effects that typically improve with time, as the corneas heal. Side effects may include: seeing halos around lights and dry eye syndrome, which will eventually disappear with the use of lubricant eye drops.
It’s important to underline that this procedure reshapes and thins the cornea, that’s why some tests and measurements must be performed prior to laser eye surgery. Also, the benefits of Wavelight LASIK are not for lifetime due to changes that the eye may experience as we age.
Types of Refractive Surgery with Lens Implants:
RLE ( Refractive Lens Exchange): The best option to correct presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). It’s also indicated for patients that are not suitable candidates for LASIK or PRK, who have extreme degrees of myopia, and hyperopia. The procedure consists in removing your eye natural lens and replacing it with a biocompatible artificial lens; with an exact prescription to correct your refractive error. This procedure is very similar to cataract surgery, which many people will need later on in life.
Phacoemulsification (PHACO): Is a procedure to restore vision in people with cataracts, or clouding of the eye’s lens. This type surgery uses ultrasonic waves to break the opacified lens into tiny pieces, which are then suctioned out of the eye with. The procedure is completed by replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial one.
At Oftalmológos El Tesoro we have an extraordinary team of trained surgeons with the best state-of-the-art technology to help you improve your vision. It’s time to take the first step towards a life changing surgery. Book your appointment today and find out if you’re a candidate for Refractive Eye Surgery.
