Refraction Surgery
Imagine a world free of eyeglasses and contact lenses
Feel your life without the continuous dependence on glasses or contact lenses, from the moment you get up from bed watching the alarm clock until you are dealing with your favorite sports or relaxing swimming.
Over the past 20 years, more than 20 million people chose to dispose of glasses and contact lenses using the excimer laser technology. These operations have stopped been experimental for a long time and many clinical investigations have demonstrated their safety, their predictability and the reliability of their results over time.
Correction of refractive errors of the eye by laser tends to become the most widespread surgery in all medicine.
We invite you to come to one of the largest, most modern and scientifically excellent Ophthalmology Centers in Europe to get to know the latest technological developments.
The refractive errors of the eye.
Myopia
It affects distant vision when the axial length of the eye is large relative to curvature and refractive power of the cornea. The rays entering the eye focus in front of the retina.
Hyperopia
In this situation, close vision is affected (but to a certain extent also distant) because the axial length of the eye is short in relation to curvature and refractive power of the cornea. The focal point of the light is behind the retina.
Astigmatism
When the cornea is not round, but more elliptical, the light focuses on many points in the retina resulting in blurred distant and close vision. Astigmatism may coexist with both myopia and hyperopia.
Presbyopia
This situation applies to all people aged over 40-45 years. It is associated with progressive narrowing of vision and is due to changes and wear of the crystal lens of the eye, which loses the ability to focus objects close to you. Modern technology cannot cope with these changes in the adaptability of our natural lens, but can provide substantial help in several cases with different alternatives that are different in each case.
Are you a suitable candidate for laser refractive surgery?
We can help you decide if correcting your refractive error is the most appropriate choice for you. Generally, you must be 18 years of age, be in good health, stable vision in the last year, and healthy corneas without any other ophthalmological problems. In rare cases where you do not meet the required security requirements, we will suggest other ways that may be best suited to your case.
The options for correcting laser refractive errors
At LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ, we apply many different operations tailored to the needs of every individual. The purpose of all operations is to change the curvature of the anterior transparent surface of the eye called the cornea. Laser surgery occurs exclusively in the cornea and not in the eye.
LASIK (In Situ Keratomileusis laser)
This method can effectively treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. During surgery, a thin flap (like a membrane) is created on the cornea. Then the laser is applied to the corneal layer and in the end, the flap is replaced. The duration of this procedure does not exceed 5 minutes, it is painless and needles or stitches are not used. Vision restoration is very fast, while vision quality continues to improve for a little while longer. The results of LASIK are particularly stable and reliable.
Surface grinding
(PRK – photorefractive keratectomy, ASA Advanced surface adulation, LASEK, Epi-LASIK)
This method displays many variations, but a common feature of all, is the application of the laser to the surface of the eye immediately beneath the corneal “epidermis” called epithelium. We usually use this method in cases where the cornea is relatively thin or displays some peculiarities. After surgery, a special contact lens is placed for 3-6 days and the recovery of vision is gradual. Return to routine activities after 5-7 days.
Alternative ways of correcting laser refractive errors
Not all patients can have Laser refractive treatments, as certain eye diseases do not allow for safe application. In these special cases, LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ specialist eye surgeons can suggest alternative treatment methods that offer very GOOD AND SAFE RESULTS. (Artisan lens, Artiflex lens, RLE-Refractive lens exchange, Intacs, Conductive Keratoplasts). The details and appropriateness of each method will be discussed extensively with you during the preoperative assessment.
Preoperative examination
At LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ, eye security is our primary concern. For this reason, we attach great importance to preoperative assessment in order to find the most appropriate solution for you.
Preoperative testing includes a range of measurements and examinations by specialized optometrists and ophthalmologists. We measure the stability of your vision, the condition of your cornea, and the overall health of your eyes. Next, the pupil will become dilated and the examination will be completed with the image and the complete assessment of all the measurements by our specialized refractive surgeon.
Throughout the examination, you will be able to express your concerns both to the specialized optometrists and to our highly experienced Surgeon Optometrists.
Upon completion of the examination, the special advisors will inform you of all procedural issues related to the operation. Estimate it will take about 2 hours to complete eye control and update. After this test, your vision may be slightly affected and there may be little sensitivity to bright light. It is advisable to carry sunglasses with you and not drive for a few hours after the examination.
For better measurements:
- Do not wear soft contact lenses for at least 1 week.If you use semi-contact lenses, we recommend that you remove them for at least 4 weeks prior to your scheduled check.
- Bring your old glasses together for comparison.
The day of the procedure
On the day of the procedure, take a day off from work. Come to our Center by avoiding makeup, mascara, perfumes, hair spray and gel and thoroughly clean your eyelids the night before.
We suggest that you have a light breakfast and wear comfortable clothes. Initially, our expert consultant will be greeted, will inform you about the program of the day and may need to repeat some exams.
If you wish, you will be given a mild anxiolytic pill to make you feel more comfortable. All methods of correcting laser refractive errors apply painlessly anesthesia with drops. After surgery, the doctor will examine you after a short time (20-30 minutes) and you will receive full instructions. We suggest that a friendly or relative person accompany you.
Follow-up after surgery
After surgery, your doctor and the surgeon will inform you of the procedure and the instructions you should follow, and will give you a special form of the postoperative instructions with all the necessary information.
Recovery is different in every person and depends on the particular method chosen, but in general, it is extremely fast. Your doctor will examine you at regular intervals (usually the post-operative course includes checking on the first day, the first week and the first trimester after surgery without additional cost).
It is our duty and pleasure to help you resolve any questions you may have about your surgery, so do not hesitate to contact your surgeon or your doctor.
After surgery for 2 weeks:
- Do not rub and tighten your eyes
- Do not swim
- Do not exercise vigorously
- Do not use a solarium
Are the results permanent?
Yes. The results of the laser application, if applied correctly, are considered permanent.
However, the presence of another ocular or systemic condition, such as e.g. cataracts or severe diabetes may again exhibit refractive errors in the eye. In addition, eyes with refractive anomalies statistically show common conditions, such as retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma, etc., whether laser refractive error correction has been made. For this reason, LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ recommends that all patients continue to undergo preventive annual ophthalmologic examination, regardless of their good visual acuity post operation.
Complications
The vast majority of patients have no problem at all. However, medical acts may have complications more or less serious. Fortunately, in laser refractive surgery, these complications are rare and often treatable.
The most common “complication” is the chance re-operating to further improve vision without aids (glasses, contact lenses) when the patient desires it.Depending on how high the refractive abnormality was preoperatively, this probability varies between 1-10%.
This is due to the specificity of each eye and relates to the extent and healing rate observed after laser application.In any case, the improvement in visual acuity without aids is so spectacular that patients are most often satisfied.
Possibly, a patient can choose to occasionally use auxiliary spectacles for evening driving, but if he/she still wants a better visual performance without aids, provided that the eye still has the safety conditions for new laser application, this is done without any financial burden in the first 12 months after surgery.
Few patients have described small-scale vision impairment with variation in vision quality and occasional annoyances (foreign body sensation, photosensitivity and blurring in spotlight in the evening).
Such disturbances are most of the time transient and allow the normal life of patients (driving, computer, television) without the use of visual aids.
Dry eyes requiring the frequent use of artificial tears.It is desirable to use artificial tears for 1-2 months after Excimer Laser surgery.
The most important complication may be an infection, however, it is extremely rare and confined to the surface and not to the eye (keratitis).
Similar infections occur daily and statistically higher than misuse, but also through simple contact lenses.In both cases, direct medication and close monitoring by the ophthalmologist is required.
Problems in the construction of the flap during surgery are particularly rare with the new generation of microkeratomes currently used in LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ.
If, however, the flap construction is not perfect, then surgery is postponed usually for a few weeks without unpleasant consequences for the patient.Any creases that are rarely seen on the surface of the Flap can be directly applied with great success.
The probability of corneal ectasia, i.e. the increase in corneal curvature due to a change in its tectonics, is extremely rare when preoperative testing is complete.I
n this case, the patient for full vision restoration should wear a specialized air-permeable contact lens or undergo other therapies.In LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ, all patients are tested preoperational, for corneal elasticity to further minimize the risk of corneal ectasia.
Technology in LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ
Success in correcting the refractive errors of the eye requires a great deal of experience from the doctors, the surgical team and the use of the most modern and modern equipment.
The surgical team of LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ is comprised of doctors who have experience in refractive surgery and have contributed with their reputation and scientific excellence in the spread of refractive surgery in Greece.
Surgical experience and knowledge means fewer complications and better results for the patient. LASER & ΟΦΘΑΛΜΟΣ always uses cutting-edge technology that involves both preoperative and laser correction.
More specifically, we have:
- Clear Charts that provide absolute precision in visual control under different conditions.
- Optical and ultra-sonographic corneal ophthalmology units.
- Pupil diameter meters with infrared assessment systems.
- Intraocular pressure measurement systems specific for Pascal dynamic tonometer (ORA).
- ERA Estimation of the Eye with the Most Modern Technology in the World (ORA).
- Topographic units for the assessment of the anterior parts of the eye and the cornea providing detailed eye control (double Scheimflung technology).
- Wavelength (full wave front) waveform analyzers of the latest generation with the highest available resolution available at this time.
- 6th generation Excimer laser using profile algorithms that allow more reliable results and better visual quality.
- Ability to personalize chipping based on the precise impression of the surface of the eye for dealing with complicated cases with abnormal astigmatism.After injuries, infections or transplants.
- Especially designed rooms that provide predefined temperature and humidity conditions, equipped with the finest air conditioning systems with Heppa absolute filters for air purification.
