Laser correction of vision defects
Medicine has found a solution for those people who do not want to or cannot wear corrective eyeglasses: laser correction of vision defects. Nowadays it is the most precise and the safest surgical procedure for treatment of:
- myopia (up to -7D)
- hyperopia (up to +4D)
- astigmatism (up to 3.5D) and
- combinations of these defects.
In LENS-MED® Eye Care Centre we perform this kind of procedures in patients above the age of 21. Contraindications for this procedure comprise absence of stable vision defect, glaucoma, cataract, diabetes, cancer, some eye diseases. The eye doctor decides whether a given patient may undergo such a surgery procedure after necessary detailed tests carried out in LENS-MED® Eye Care Centre – examination qualifying for laser correction of vision defects.
The most important elements of qualifying examination include:
- visual acuity examination
- ocular axial length measurement (biometry)
- colour corneal topography
- corneal thickness measurement (pachymetry)
- examination of tear production system.
If results of those qualifying tests are positive, the date for laser surgery can be settled.
Kinds of procedures performed in LENS-MED® Eye Care Centre:
LASEK, LASIK, EpiLASIK.
LASEK – this procedure consists in temporary removal of the epithelium of the cornea and applying laser to the tissue underneath. After the laser remodelling of the tissue, the epithelium is carefully repositioned over the treatment area. It is necessary to wear contact lens for about 7 days after the procedure. This lens and the repositioned epithelium of the cornea are a good dressing. The healing process takes about a week.
LASIK – this procedure consists in making a horizontal cut in the cornea with an instrument called microkeratome and creating a flap with a hinge at one end of it. After folding back of the flap, the surgeon remodels the shape of the cornea with the laser and changes its optical power. Depending on the kind of vision defect, precisely computer-calculated layers of the cornea are removed. After the laser has reshaped the stromal layer, the flap is repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon. There is no need to apply any dressing.
EpiLASIK (MORIA) – this is an innovative new procedure designed to correct vision defects with additional instrument called epikeratome. In this technique the surgeon uses the epikeratome to separate an epithelial sheet, to make a thin flap in the epithelium that makes it possible to operate in thinner layer of the cornea. The laser beam is then applied under the epithelial flap to remodel the cornea and restore clear vision.
Advantages of EpiLASIK (MORIA):
– can be applied to a wider range of vision defects than LASIK
– is a treatment of choice with high powers
– is a safe treatment for both steep and flat corneas
Therefore we would recommend EpiLASIK (MORIA) for:
– patients who are not eligible for LASIK method
– patients with a wide range of vision defects
