Truth and Myths About Laser Vision Correction
Quite often we hear the phrase: “I would like to make laser vision correction, but …” and followed by an argument. And, as practice shows, most often it is simply fear. Any third-party interference in the body raises concerns – from the ordinary caries treatment before disposal appendicitis. Therefore, the prospect of substitute eyes “under the knife of the surgeon” scares a lot of people. However, before you panic, it is worth to know what represents a laser correction procedure and how it runs.
Myths about laser correction razvenchanyObratimsya to history. The first method of vision correction called radial keratotomy “appeared in 1930. Its essence was that the cornea of the eye from the pupil to the periphery, were deposited notches, which later fused. As a result of corneal shape change, and vision improved. However, the first operations were accompanied by serious complications, including clouding of the cornea, leading to loss of vision.
New Life, this method was in the 1970′s. When he perfected the famous ophthalmosurgeon Svyatoslav Fyodorov. However, this method also required a long rehabilitation period, threatening complications, and from the physical stress patient could lose his sight. In 1976, the attention of medical scientists attracted the development of IBM. Specialists of the corporation with a laser beam struck the engraving on the surface of computer chips, which required a truly jeweler’s precision. As a result of medical research found that the safety of the laser beam and the ability to control the depth and diameter of the treated area is of particular importance in such sensitive areas as refractive surgery. It then began a triumphal march of technology of laser vision correction.
In 1985 he organized the first laser vision correction procedure for PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). Just as in radial keratotomy, are affected directly corneas, but the principle of impact was different. Causing cuts were not required, and the form of the cornea change under the influence of the laser, which evaporates from the fabric’s surface and formed a new one. High accuracy allows excellent forecast results and get rid of side effects, but the period of reconstruction of the surface layer, occupied two to four days, was extremely unpleasant, and adaptation ended only after three or four weeks.
The most popular technique today Lasik (Lasik) was introduced in 1989 and became a true revolution in refractive surgery. Its main advantage was that the surface layers of the cornea is not affected, and the evaporation of the corneal tissue is from the middle class. This technique is used, for example, in ophthalmic clinics “Excimer”.
Patient instilled in the eye drop anesthesia (general anesthesia is not used). After anesthesia had its effect, the eyes fixed vacuum ring, and, using a special tool, the uppermost layer of the cornea, which after the correction back to his seat. Then begins the laser impact. Excimer laser creates a new shape of the cornea. After completion of laser surface layer of the cornea is lowered into place and serves as a kind of “natural bandage. Due to structural features of non-vascular layer of tissue, it is well fixed in a few minutes, so the suture is not required. Typically, a few hours later a man already gets a chance to see much better than before the correction. The final vision is restored within three to five days, depending on the individual characteristics of the eye.
Statistics on the use of technology is known, and recently its latest figures were announced at the World Congress of ophthalmic surgeons. So, for the past 10 years the world held about 15 million adjustments. Of course, limitations to the use of laser correction is – it does not perform in the presence of HIV infection, diabetes, some forms of tuberculosis, during pregnancy, as well as related eye diseases. But in the absence of contraindications laser vision correction is the most perfect way to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.