Refractive surgery involves a set of surgical techniques that aim to operate on the eyes to correct refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism) and thus eliminate or reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
Most people are candidates for eye surgery, whether using a laser technique to reshape the cornea or by implanting one of different types of intraocular lenses. At Clínica Nivaria, we understand that such a procedure raises several questions. In this article, we aim to answer the most common questions about laser surgery for myopia.
What aspects do specialists take into account when recommending one technique or another?
Several factors are decisive for myopia surgery :
- The patient's age,
- The amount of diopters of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism that the person has,
- The presence or absence of presbyopia or age-related farsightedness,
- Certain morphological characteristics of the cornea.
What tests does an ophthalmologist perform to determine if a person is a candidate for myopia surgery?
During the first assessment visit, a clinical history will be opened for the patient, including their medical and ophthalmological background, as well as any additional information of interest that the specialist may highlight.
Furthermore, in order to determine whether or not a person is a candidate, at Clínica Nivaria we perform the following tests:
- Visual acuity measurement and vision correction to determine diopters and assess possible visual defects.
- Measurement of intraocular pressure and assessment of corneal structure and thickness.
- Study of the anterior segment of the eye.
- Study of the posterior segment of the eye.
All these tests will indicate to the specialist which technique will be most appropriate for each patient. If, for example, intraocular lens implantation is recommended, additional tests may be needed to assess other factors, such as the depth of the eyeball.
Is there a diopter limit for undergoing myopia surgery?
Today, the diopter limit for being a candidate for laser surgery is approximately 10-12 diopters for nearsightedness and 5 diopters for farsightedness, with no limit for astigmatism. However, these limits may vary depending on the individual patient's characteristics.
What does myopia surgery involve?
Following the aforementioned ophthalmological examination, the myopia surgery will be scheduled, which has a number of characteristics:
- It is a technique that is carried out under topical anesthesia, applying anesthetic drops to the eyes, without the need for injections or the application of any other type of sedation.
- Laser treatment is completely painless. The patient will only feel a beam of light being applied to their eye.
- The treatment has an average duration of approximately 15 minutes per eye, including patient preparation and application of anesthetic drops, although the direct application of the laser is reduced to just a few seconds.
- Once the treatment is complete, it will not be necessary to cover the eyes. Therefore, the patient will only feel a slight discomfort (a sensation of rubbing or grittiness in the eye) during the first few hours after the procedure.
Is hospitalization necessary after the operation?
This is an outpatient technique, which allows the patient to leave the Center just one hour after having the treatment, without the need for hospitalization.
What happens after the operation?
The main advantage of this technique is the speed and comfort of the post-operative recovery. The outpatient procedure allows the patient to leave the ophthalmology center just one hour after the procedure. In the hours following the surgery, the patient's vision will be somewhat blurred, but it will gradually return to normal.
Thus, depending on the type of activity, a patient can return to their normal life just one or two days after the procedure. It is true that certain activities that could pose any risk or strain should be avoided, such as sports, places with unclean environments, or prolonged use of computers or tablets. However, after the operation, the patient is advised to attend regular follow-up appointments to ensure that everything is progressing well.