Several corrective eye surgery methods range from laser reshaping in LASIK and PRK to insertion of artificial lenses to improve eyesight. In retaining vision, various methods are used that are effective in curbing several eye problems. Eye clinics use procedures like LASIK, PRK, and others.
These techniques use laser energy to reshape the cornea of the eye’s curvature to alter how light rays hit the eye. Artificial lenses inserted into the eye can help in refocusing light rays for a sharpened vision. Nowadays eye clinics like Personal Eye Sydney have introduced new surgical techniques, tools, and procedures that have made a world of change in terms of vision correction.
- Photorefractive Keratotomy:
Radial Keratotomy (RK) is a popular surgery method involved in cutting incisions that help in flattening the eye’s surface. This helps in correcting near-sightedness. Many people who need this procedure suffer from regression, fluctuating vision, and even night vision problems. It is advisable for these people to rely on higher prescription strengths although those with lower prescriptions suffer from fewer side-effects.
The procedure has hence been replaced by Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) that is one of the most successful laser vision correction procedures that can eliminate the underlying tissue directly from the eye’s surface. PRK is also termed as surface ablation received FDA approval in the 1990s and is still used in today’s times. Nerve regeneration is faster with the PRK procedure that the other popular procedure LASIK for a complete healing process. It is a safer procedure when a person’s cornea is thin and not suitable for LASIK surgery.
- LASIK Surgery:
LASIK surgery involves the creation of ultra-thin flap on the epithelium of the eye with alcohol to introduce laser reshaping of the eye. Epi-LASIK uses a special cutting tool for lifting the flap while Bladeless LASIK uses a femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap before the cornea reshaping procedure.
LASIK’s advantage over PRK procedure is the lack of discomfort for the patient who has a clear vision within hours. The new procedures of Wavefront LASIK incorporate ultra-modern analysis to measure how light passes the eye in precise terms. Excimer lasers can detect subtle vision errors when laser energy reshapes the cornea. This procedure ensures better contrast sensitivity and reduces night glare problems too.
- Implantable Lenses and contact lenses:
Implantable lenses are quite popular ever since they received FDA approval in 2004. These implanted lenses are known to be appropriate for those suffering from near-sightedness. They keep the eye’s natural lens as they are while directing the light on the eyes better than before.
- Refractive Lens Exchange:
This is a non-laser eye procedure that involves the removal of the natural lens to replace it with an artificial lens of a different shape to eliminate farsightedness of varying degrees. This is one option to correct vision problems including near-sightedness and could be a complicated procedure for some reasons. This procedure is hence used when some eyes need severe vision correction.
- Cataract surgery:
Cataract surgery is a vision correction procedure that involves the use of new lens implants that can partially restore near vision and correct eye problems of near-sightedness and far-sightedness. The procedure uses multifocal IOLs that are used by several cataract surgeons, with great results.
Toric IOLs that can help in eliminating astigmatism is used in various cataract surgeries to help the patient avoid eyeglasses after the removal of cataracts from the eyes.
Depending on the condition of your eyes, different types of laser eye surgery might be required. Certain procedures work well for the young while not as well for adults. People suffering from other diseases could make them poor candidates for specific vision correction procedures.
For example, those suffering from glaucoma can never undergo LASIK surgery while those who are pregnant cannot opt for any elective vision surgery owing to hormonal changes.
