Vision impairment: Say goodbye to glasses with the latest treatment

 Vision impairment: Say goodbye to glasses with the latest treatment

About 30 percent of people with vision impairment in Nepal do not wear glasses, which affects their employment and self-confidence.

There are three main methods of correcting vision impairment by reducing the power of the pupil of the eye using laser technology: photorefractive keratectomy, LASIK, and SMILE.

Laser surgery is suitable for patients over 18 years of age with stable power and has a 95 to 98 percent success rate.

Look at the eyes of people you walk by. About 3 out of every 10 people are found wearing glasses. It is said that where there is a virtue, there is also a defect. Perhaps the defect of such a convenient world is vision impairment. Continuous close work, excessive and continuous use of screens are increasing the risk of vision impairment.

Despite having vision problems, almost half of people who should wear glasses are not wearing glasses. Some are unaware of their vision impairment, while others do not wear glasses because they consider it a hassle.

People do not want to wear glasses because of the effects on beauty, loss of confidence when speaking, difficulty in seeing close objects while playing or driving.

Some jobs, such as military recruitment, piloting, etc., do not give priority to glasses users. People who want to go to such jobs have to compromise their employment due to vision impairment. Whether for employment or for other reasons, it directly or indirectly affects the self-satisfaction and efficiency of those who wear glasses.

Laser technology is available to remove vision impairment without glasses for such people. Currently, this service is being expanded, especially in various areas of Kathmandu and eastern Nepal. The expansion of glasses removal technology in this way is a new dimension in the field of eye health for a country like Nepal. Along with the expansion of this service, it is necessary for the general public to have general knowledge of glasses removal technology.

Laser Eyelid Surgery

Laser eyelid surgery is a procedure that uses a laser to correct vision defects (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or power in a specific axis) by changing the shape of the pupil to zero.

Its main purpose is to focus light rays directly on the retina, which eliminates or reduces the need for glasses or contact lenses. This process can be compared to the process of making glasses. Just as the front of a pair of glasses is polished to apply power to the lens, laser technology applies power directly to the pupil.

How does a laser work to remove vision defects?

Lasers work in three main ways: cutting tissue, stretching tissue, and removing tissue. Eyelid surgery involves thinning the pupil in a specific area, in which the cutting or stretching technology of the laser is used.

By removing a small portion of the front of the eyeball with a laser, the power that passes through the eyeball is reduced. This technique is very accurate and reliable. After this operation, 95 percent of patients can see as if they were normal without wearing glasses.

Laser surgery can be divided into three parts:

1. Photorefractive keratectomy

This type of surgery is usually performed on people with moderate to severe vision loss, but with a thin pupil. In this, the upper surface of the eyeball is removed with a laser and the lower surface is worked on again with a laser. The eye is rested by wearing contact lenses for a few days. The first few days may be burning and discomfort in the eyes. About 95 percent of vision defects improve in about 2 to 3 weeks.

3. LASIK surgery

This is the most commonly used surgery today. In this, the upper surface of the eye is cut in a circular shape, the lower surface tissue is removed with a laser, and the cut surface is put back. In this method, vision defects are immediately corrected and vision recovery is faster. Problems after surgery are reduced.

3. SMILE or SILK technique

In this, tissue is cut using a laser by making a small incision in the pupil. Vision recovery is very fast and problems in the eye are reduced. This method does not affect the natural power of the eye much and future problems are reduced. However, this method may not be suitable for everyone.

Things to consider before undergoing laser surgery

- The power of the eye needs to be stabilized during laser surgery. The size of the eye increases from about 18 to 20 years of age. Therefore, this surgery should be performed only after reaching at least 18 years of age.

- Some people's power of the eye does not stabilize even after 18 years of age, so they need to be kept under observation for 21 years.

- The pupil of the eye should be at least 500 microns thick.

- There should be no infection, injury or other disease in the eye.

- This surgery may not be suitable for patients with diabetes, autoimmune diseases or high anxiety.

How much vision can laser correct?

– This treatment can correct near vision up to minus 8.00 diopters, distance vision up to plus 4.00 to 5.00, and cylinder up to 5.00.

- Photorefractive keratectomy can correct near vision up to minus 8.00, distance vision up to 3-4 diopters, and cylinder up to 3-4.

- SMILE or SILK techniques are also capable of correcting near vision up to minus 8.00 and cylinder up to 5.00.

- For patients with powers greater than the above mentioned powers, a type of plastic lens (IPCL) is placed inside the eye. Precautions to be taken before surgery and possible side effects

- Contact lens use should be stopped at least one month before The medication should be discontinued.

-The surgery is painless, but you may feel mild pressure or light sensitivity.

-Healing time is usually 3 to 5 days, but it can take up to 2 weeks for some people.

Common (temporary) side effects:

-Dryness, burning, foreign body sensation in the eyes

-Seeing halos around lights at night

-Discomfort in bright light

-Vision may be clear or blurry

-Slight pain or burning may occur

How safe is laser surgery?

-Its success rate is 95 to 98 percent, with patients achieving 6/6 (near) vision.

-More than 99 percent are able to live comfortably without glasses.

-The risk of serious vision loss is very low.

-Studies over 20-25 years have proven all three techniques safe.