Refractive Surgery - Anand Eye Hospital

Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery is a way to correct the errors and impairments caused to the eye due to its poor refractive ability thus enabling the focus light correctly on the retina to be able to see more clearly.

Photorefractive keratectomy

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a procedure intended to correct a person’s vision using laser to surgically remove the corneal stroma and correct refractive errors such as myopia ,hypermetropia and astigmatism. It can correct Myopia up to -8 diopter (D), astigmatism up to 6 D, and hyperopia up to 5 D.

The first step of PRK requires removal of the superficial corneal epithelium down to Bowman’s layer which in layman’s terms is to change the shape of the cornea permanently. The excimer laser then ablates the stroma, thereby remodelling the corneal surface. The goal of PRK is to improve your vision and reduce dependancy on eyeglasses or contact lenses.

LASIK

Laser Assisted Insitu Keratomileusis

The ophthalmologist uses a laser to change the shape of your cornea. This laser eye surgery improves the way light rays are focused on the retina. LASIK is used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.

The goal of LASIK is to correct your refractive error to improve your vision

Femotosecond Laser or bladeless LASIK

Femtosecond laser is a precise ,cutting edge tool that can make corneal surgery accurate and safe. A one of a kind in lasers that emits optical pulses in the domain of femtoseconds ie very short durations – ultrashort pulses. Two types of lasers are used in the procedure that focus the energy on a limited time scale in a single laser pulse achieving multiple light projected emissions. One ensures making a corneal flap with the femtosecond laser as a first step followed by excimer laser correction below the flap as the next step. It can correct up to -8 diopter (D), astigmatism up to 4 D, and hyperopia up to 5 D.

A unique advantage of this technology as seen in industry standards of quality control is to reduce the thermal damage to the material when used. Achieving an effective pulse emission is a short time span ensures a directed to the focal point target with minimal heat dissipation to the surrounding area reducing any post operational hazards.

SMILE

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a relatively new refractive procedure designed to treat refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. An FDA approved laser vision correction procedure dedicated to treat near sightedness with up to 3D of astigmatism.The procedure involves using a femtosecond laser to create a corneal lenticule which is extracted as a whole through a small incision without the use of an excimer laser.The SMILE procedure seems to be a promising alternative to LASIK in some cases due to its minimally invasive technique and promising outcomes.