Types of Eye Surgery

Posted on May 25, 2011 by FCI There are a variety of conditions that may call for eye surgery; from cosmetic changes to vision-saving procedures. Each treatment comes with its own benefits, risks, and indications for use. From corrective treatments to orbital implants, todays advancements can tackle almost any condition and provide a successful solution. Corrective Surgery Corrective laser eye surgery is by far the most popular eye surgery in todays times. It has taken the world by storm, with approximately 2,000 people having it performed every day. The two most common methods of corrective surgery are LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). Laser eye surgery can correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, thereby eliminating an individuals dependency on corrective lenses. Most popular, LASIK uses a precision laser to remove corneal tissue and reshape the cornea to change its level of focus. PRK is preferred for individuals with thin corneas where creating a flap may be more difficult. Both types of corrective surgery take approximately 15 minutes per eye. New bladeless wavefront technology has been introduced to mitigate some of the issues caused by aberrations in flap edges. Cataract Surgery Cataracts, commonly affecting both eyes, occur in over half of adults over 60. The surgery to remove cataracts is a very safe and successful procedure, with over 1.5 million cataract surgeries performed in the United States to date. It is generally recommended for those individuals who have vision loss that is impeding their daily life, but may be avoided for those who have additional eye diseases. Cataract surgery is performed with minimal sedation and generally takes less than 30 minutes. During surgery, an artificial lens is put in place of the original to restore vision. There are three different approaches to cataract surgery: Phacoemulsification Most common, this approach requires only local anesthesia. Ultrasonic vibrations dissolve the cloudy lens via an inserted probe. Extracapsular cataract surgery This type of surgery is often performed when the lens is too dense for phacoemulsification. This surgery requires sutures, and recovery is longer.

Intracapsular cataract surgery This technique requires a larger incision, and the entire lens and surrounding capsule are removed. This method is rare, and is only used when existing eye trauma makes it the most practical option. Over time, the lens replacement may begin to cloud. This is easily corrected with an additional laser treatment. Glaucoma Surgery Glaucoma results in raised intraocular pressure and vision loss over time. Unfortunately, surgery for glaucoma cannot reverse this vision loss. However, surgery can reduce the intraocular pressure when medication is not a sufficient solution. If necessary, glaucoma surgery can be performed multiple times with low risk. There are two types of common glaucoma surgery: laser and conventional. Laser Surgery During laser surgery, a laser is used to make a small opening in the eyes drainage system to help increase fluid drainage out of the eye. When laser surgery fails to solve the condition or the condition reemerges, the ophthalmologist may opt for conventional surgery. Conventional Surgery During conventional surgery, a new drainage canal is created that allows intraocular fluid to flow out of the eye. Lid Repair Surgery Lid repair may be indicated for both cosmetic and functional reasons. Lid repair is most commonly used to treat ptosis, also known as droopy eyelids. This has become a very popular surgery as the condition can cosmetically age the patient, obstruct vision, or create a visual incongruence between the eyelids. Surgeries for ptosis can include blepharoplasty (ptosis resulting from aging), Fasanella-Servat and Mllers muscle-conjunctival resection (for mild to moderate ptosis), and frontalis suspension (for more severe congenital cases). Orbital Surgery Orbital eye surgery is indicated for conditions such as anopthalmia, enucleation, and evisceration. These types of surgeries are indicated for individuals with: congenital defects resulting in absent eyes, large eye tumors, or when the eye cannot be preserved due to trauma. Surgical approaches include introducing an orbital implant such as the Orbital Tissue Expander, and bioceramic or silicone orbital implants. The Orbital Tissue Expander helps the preserve the congruency of facial structure in congenital cases where maintaining pressure on the surrounding structures is imperative to proper growth. Orbital implants are used to preserve the natural structure of the eye orbit and provide support for the placement of an artificial eye. Recent advancements in orbital implants have aided in improving implant motility and allowing for the natural movement of artificial eyes. Stable materials that are biocompatible, bioinert, nontoxic, and nonallergenic provide a lower rate of migration and rejection in patients.

Eye surgery has become a prevalent part of modern society, and advancements have come a long way from methods of the past. Upgrades in lasers and biocompatible materials have created a new level of safety and success.

Types of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK (Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the most frequently performed elective surgery in North America. This highly effective outpatient procedure is often referred to as refractive surgery or laser vision correction. LASIK eye surgery is used to correct the following vision problems:

Myopia Hyperopia Astigmatism

How LASIK Works The LASIK procedure is performed by ophthalmologists, medical doctors who specialize in surgical treatments of the eye. Here is a general outline of the procedure: 1. Anesthetic eye drops are applied to the eye. 2. The LASIK surgeon creates a protective flap to access the inner corneal tissue. During this part of the procedure, your vision dims and becomes blurry for about a minute. After the flap is created you are able to see the flashing fixation light of the laser and the bright lights used for the LASIK procedure. 3. Next the inner layers of your cornea receive computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light. Although the laser light is invisible, the laser makes a clicking sound as it gently reshapes the inner corneal layer to improve and in many cases, eliminate your prescription. During this part of the procedure, an eye-tracking device tracks your eye movements to ensure precise correction. 4. Following the re-shaping of the tissue, the LASIK surgeon carefully repositions and aligns the flap to its original position. Protective shields are placed over your eye to prevent accidental rubbing as the flap heals naturally and securely over the next several hours. After the LASIK eye surgery procedure, patients feel moderate discomfort and irritation for a few hours, but most are comfortable after a nap and rest. Other Types of LASIK Everyones eyes are different. A pre-procedure consultation with your doctor will help determine the right type of LASIK eye surgery for you.

Custom LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that helps your LASIK surgeon customize the laser treatment to your individual eyes. This procedure may result in your vision being clearer and sharper than ever before.

Bladeless LASIK uses a gentle laser to create a precise, uniform corneal flap. As the name implies, no blades are used in this customizable eye surgery. Wavefront Technology creates a customized map of the unique attributes of your visual system that transfers to the laser, enabling your LASIK surgeon to address your individual visual requirements. Wavefront technology is used in custom LASIK eye surgery, including custom bladeless LASIK.

Laser Vision Correction Procedures

Types of Procedures LASIK is the most commonly performed laser vision correction procedure in North America. However, LASIK is not the only option and may not be the right vision correction procedure for everyone. Depending on your circumstances and prescription, some of the following laser vision correction options may be better suited to your unique visual needs: Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK), for people previously turned down for LASIK because of thin or unusually shaped corneas Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), for people with larger pupils, thin corneas, other corneal issues, or dry eyes Monovision, for people who are growing older and wish to leave one eye slightly nearsighted while the other eye is fully treated for distance vision Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), for people who are growing older and are seeking a technology that improves near vision, allowing them to depend less on reading glasses Implantable Colamer Lenses (ICL), for people whose prescriptions fall outside the accepted range for laser refractive procedures, have extreme nearsightedness, or who may otherwise not be an ideal candidate for laser vision correction Phakic Intraocular Lens (P-IOL), for people who are over 40 and whose prescriptions fall outside the accepted range for laser vision correction procedures, have extreme nearsightedness, or who may otherwise not be an ideal candidate for laser vision correction such as LASIK.