Categories: Eye Doctor

Common Types of Eye Surgery

Eye surgery refers to surgical procedures that involve the eyes. These procedures help correct refractive errors. They can reduce or even end the need for contact lenses or eyeglasses. Read on to find out about some common types of eye surgery that can improve your vision.

Eye surgery

Refractive and laser eye surgery, also known as vision correction surgery, refers to surgical procedures used to correct or fix vision problems. The most common types of vision correction surgeries are corneal modification procedures. The cornea is the front part of the eye that helps bend light rays as they pass through the eye. For a person to see clearly, the cornea has to have the right shape and power. This will allow it to focus incoming light rays properly on the retina. Other procedures involve replacing the natural lens of the eye.

Comprehensive eye examination

A person who is thinking of eye surgery should first have a comprehensive eye examination. Eye exams are used to evaluate the health of the eyes and diagnose any problems. The exam has different parts that can be used to identify various vision problems. If testing shows that a person has a refractive error, eye surgery can then be considered.

LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis)

This surgery is used to correct astigmatism, hyperopia, or myopia. It involves a doctor creating a flap in the cornea and then using a laser to reshape it. This ensures that the cornea can focus light properly. LASIK is different from other procedures because of the flap.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

Like LASIK, this surgery also involves the use of a laser. The cornea is reshaped using a laser by the surgeon. The laser removes some tissue from the outer surface of the cornea. This means it only affects the surface of the cornea and not the tissues underneath. PRK is used to correct mild to moderate farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism. A surgeon may use a computer to map the surface of the eye and calculate the amount of tissue removed.

Limbal relaxing incisions (LRI)

LRI is a procedure that helps correct astigmatism. This procedure reduces the effects of astigmatism and provides cataract patients with a clearer vision. It also eliminates or reduces their need for contact lenses or glasses. LRIs are small incisions that are made around the limbus, the edge of the cornea. When the limbus is relaxed or cut, the cornea’s steep curvature becomes more rounded, improving the way the eye focuses light.

Intacs

Intacs can also be referred to as ICR or intracorneal ring segments. The procedure involves the doctor making small incisions in the cornea and placing two rings at the outer edge. These rings flatten the cornea and change the way light rays are focused on the retina. This surgery was mostly used to correct nearsightedness. However, laser-based procedures are now preferred. ICR is now usually used to treat keratoconus.

Anesthesia considerations during eye surgery

Some types of eye surgery will need general anesthesia. This will keep the patient conscious during the procedure. It is common for the patient to go through sedation with a regional anesthetic. This will prevent the patient from feeling any discomfort. The sedation will run through the vein. The eye doctor will provide the pain block injection near the eye.

The level of sedation is often low. This will allow the patient to stay awake. Sedation will allow the patient to stay still during the procedure. Excessive sedation can make the patient snore or fall asleep. This could lead to errors in surgery or confusion on the part of the patient.

It will be difficult for the eye doctor to operate on the patient if the patient starts to have breathing difficulties. This often happens with general anesthesia. But children often need general anesthesia because it is difficult to keep them still during the procedure. Some procedures will only need anesthetic eye drops. Such a procedure is LASIK surgery.

Preparing for eye surgery

The eye doctor will tell the patient not to drink or eat before the procedure. Knowing what time to stop these activities is important. Asking which maintenance medications to continue taking or discontinue can prevent drug interactions during the procedure. It is important to ask someone to take the patient home after the eye surgery.

Takeaway

Surgery is a common and effective treatment for eye and vision problems. The procedures can help treat different eye problems and improve your eyesight. A comprehensive eye examination can be used to determine if you have any eye and vision problems. If you are considering eye surgery, talk to your optometrist.

Request an appointment here: https://brighteyesmv.com or call Bright Eyes Optometry at (914) 668-1429 for an appointment in our Mt Vernon office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Eye Surgery in Mt Vernon, NY.

Recent Posts

Common Emergency Eye Care Services

Emergency eye care is needed if you find yourself dealing with a problem with your eye that causes pain or affects your vision. Failing to treat eye injuries as soon as they are detected can lead to permanent consequences, like reduced vision or blindness. Common eye injuries that require emergency eye care include: Exposure to…

Protecting Your Eyes - Ophthalmologist FAQs

Looking for more information on eye protection? An ophthalmologist knows everything there is to know about protecting the eyes. While there are a few different types of eye care professionals, ophthalmologists are eye care professionals who have undergone additional years of education and training so they can offer their patients both medical and surgical eye…

How An Optometist Can Help With Myopia

Controlling myopia at an early age can slow down its progression. This can help prevent yearly upgrades for stronger glasses. Your optometrist can help by offering various treatments. If you want to find out how your optometrist can help control myopia, here are the details.Optometrists use atropine eye drops to achieve short-term myopia control results.…

What Causes Itchy Eye And How It Can Be Treated

Another word for an itchy eye is ocular pruritis. It is a common health situation in many people. Itchiness in your eyes is more than enough reason to see an optometrist. Receiving prompt treatment is important in receiving prompt relief. If you want to know what causes an itchy eye and the treatments for it,…

Bright Eyes Optometry

Share
Published by
Bright Eyes Optometry

Recent Posts

Common Emergency Eye Care Services

Some of the symptoms that may indicate a need for emergency eye care include but…

2 years ago

Protecting Your Eyes – Ophthalmologist FAQs

Looking for more information on eye protection? An ophthalmologist knows everything there is to know…

2 years ago

How an Optometist Can Help with Myopia

Controlling myopia at an early age can slow down its progression.

2 years ago

What Causes Itchy Eye and How It Can Be Treated

Relief for an itchy eye can start with the avoidance or removal of allergy triggers.

2 years ago

6 Tips for Choosing the Right Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care…

2 years ago

What Is the Difference Between Designer Glasses and Prescription Glasses?

With designer frames, patients get eyewear that allows them to move freely without having to…

2 years ago