Not only lasik, this is a refractive surgery option for myopic eyes

So far, maybe people know that LASIK is a method to treat eye minus. In fact, in fact, there are various types of operations that can be done to treat minus eye. Not only that, these corrective surgeries can also be performed to treat various refractive errors, such as farsightedness, old eyes, and cylindrical eyes. See reviews of various types of refractive surgery to treat myopic eyes and free from glasses.

Various refractive surgeries to treat myopia

Most of the refractive surgery performed today relies on laser technology. However, there are actually surgeries that use other procedures to correct refractive errors, such as photo refractive keratectomy (PRK) or lens implants.

Although the methods are different, the operations performed are both aimed at changing the shape of the cornea so that the eye can focus light on the retina.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains refractive surgery will reduce too long curvature of the cornea in nearsighted eyes (myopia). Conversely, in farsighted eyes (hypertrophy), the curvature of the cornea will be lengthened because initially the shape is too horizontal.

The following are types of refractive surgery that are performed to remove minus, plus, to astigmatism:

1. LASIK

This refractive surgery is used to improve vision in people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or cylindrical eyes. During LASIK surgery (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), the corneal tissue is reshaped so that the eye can focus light precisely on the retina.

In LASIK eye surgery, manufacturing will be carried out flap (folds) in the outer layer of the cornea. LASIK is also done with the addition of computer imaging known as laser technology wavefront which can capture detailed images of the front structure of the human eye especially the cornea.

2. PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)

This eye surgery is used to correct mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or cylindrical eyes. During PRK surgery, the refractive surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea.

The laser, which emits ultraviolet light, is used on the surface of the cornea, not below flap cornea as in LASIK. PRK can also be performed with computer imaging of the cornea.

3. LASEK (keratomileusis epithelial laser)

This is a type of refractive surgery related to PRK. Flap or an epithelial fold is created and then the epithelial cells are loosened using an alcohol solution. A laser is used to reshape the cornea, then flap replaced and protected by soft contact lenses during recovery. LASEK surgery is used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

4.RLE (refractive lens exchange)

RLE is synonymous with eye surgery performed for cataracts by making a small incision in the edge of the cornea to remove the natural lens of the eye and replace it with a silicone or plastic lens. This refractive surgery is used to correct extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Maybe this is appropriate for someone with thin corneas, dry eyes, or other corneal problems. To repair eye cylinders, a LASIK surgery or other LASIK method can be combined with RLE.

5. Epi-LASIK

In this refractive surgery procedure, a very thin layer of cells is separated from the cornea and the inside of the cornea is reshaped with a laser excimer. Depending on the method chosen, the film can be left alone or replaced. The area that has been operated on will be temporarily placed with soft contact lenses while it heals.

6.PRELEX (presbyopic lens exchange)

This is a method in which a multifocal lens is implanted to correct presbyopia (a condition in which the eye lens loses flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects).

7. Intacs

This refractive surgery is also known as ICR (intracorneal ring segments). This method involves a small incision in the cornea and placing two plastic, crescent-shaped rings on the outer rim or on the cornea, thereby changing the way light rays focus on the retina.

ICR was once used to treat nearsightedness and mild farsightedness, but it has been replaced by laser-based procedures.

Irregular cornea, which is a form of keratoconus, is the condition most commonly treated with intacs.

8. Phakic intraocular lens implants

This refractive surgery is designed for nearsighted patients who cannot be treated by LASIK and PRK. The Phakic implant is inserted through a small incision at the edge of the cornea and is either attached to the iris or inserted behind the pupil. This procedure is different from RLE, in that the natural lens of the eye is kept in place.

9. AK or LRI (astigmatic keratotomy)

This is not laser refractive surgery, but can be used to correct astigmatism or cylindrical eyes. The cornea of ​​people who have astigmatism is usually too curved.

AK or LRI corrects astigmatism by making one or two incisions in the steepest part of the cornea. This incision makes the cornea more sloping and rounder. This eye surgery can be standalone or combined with PRK, LASIK, or RK.

10. RK (radial keratotomy)

This is a refractive surgery that was used frequently as a procedure to correct nearsightedness. However, following more effective laser eye surgeries, such as LASIK and PRK, RK has become less and less used and is considered an outdated procedure.

Refractive surgery side effects

Although most refractive surgery has been shown to improve vision, there are risks involved in this treatment. The more serious and complex the vision problem is, the higher the risk of the surgery.

Refractive surgery itself generally only lasts less than 1 hour. After that, you can immediately rest at home. The patient will go through a recovery period that will affect vision, but lasts only a few weeks.

The length of recovery time will depend on the type of refractive surgery performed. The LASIK recovery period is faster than the PRK procedure.

Some of the side effects that patients may experience while recovering from refractive surgery include:

• Dry eyes: refractive surgery can affect tear production so that the eyes feel dry. This dry eye condition can reduce the quality of vision, but eye drops can help treat it.
• More sensitive to light: feel dazzled when seeing bright light and may be accompanied by double vision.
• Blurred eyesight: cylindrical eye-like symptoms may result from the formation of uneven corneal tissue.

While there are also complications that may be experienced due to refractive surgery. This risk is more dangerous, but actually it happens less often.

• Halo effect: difficulty seeing at night or in dim light. However, with 3D laser wave technology these complications of refractive surgery can be avoided.
• Impaired vision: occurs when the abovementioned side effects of refractive surgery persist for more than normal recovery period. You may have to have a second refractive surgery.
• Undercorrections: surgery causes the eye to not fully see clearly because it does not correct refractive errors. This usually occurs for nearsightedness because not all of the tissue in the cornea is removed during surgery.
• Overcorrections: This condition occurs when the operation is done to remove too much tissue in the cornea.
• Loss of sight: refractive surgery can cause the eye to lose sight, but this complication is rare.

Various eye surgeries aimed at correcting refractive errors can treat vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and cylindrical eyes. Each of them has different procedures and methods so they can be tailored to suit your needs and eye condition. Consult with your doctor to find out the best option.