Hello. I thought about the correction for a long time, and when I was already determined, I found an advertisement and went for an all-inclusive correction. I did the operation on Saturday morning, and now everything is fully visible, I am writing a review at work. The procedure itself is almost painless, it went quickly . I didn't worry at all and the results are great. I see everything) It’s unusual to look so good so far) There is no discomfort, I drip a drop, I don’t climb into my eyes) Kl

Inika is good, clean, beautiful, the staff is pleasant and attentive. I recommend taking a closer look.

Now it's time to sum up some intermediate results laser correction according to the Femto Super LASIK method. A month has passed since the operation, this week I have already returned to training (karate, gym). The operation itself went very quickly and without much excitement, the recovery period is a more interesting and difficult moment, but, as it turns out, many problems are more likely from excessive experience. At the beginning of the eye, on which b

Valeria Lust

Thank you with a capital "S"! Morozova Larisa Alexandrovna is a wonderful doctor! I didn't have a second doubt that everything would be fine. The vision is perfect. Nothing hurt or hurt.

There was significant astigmatism, getting used to the new vision and acuity ranged from 0.7 to 1.0. One was regularly observed on the right. On the control after a month, both eyes were 1.0, two eyes - 1.2! One of possible consequences, for which I experienced in absentia before the operation, there was a dry eye syndrome, I sit at a computer for days, and it was a big risk - to get (and, possibly for a long time) great discomfort when working at a computer. But, to my surprise, working at the computer has become much more comfortable, I don’t even use moisturizing drops. I attribute this to the fact that my eyes began to look calmly, without tension, at the end of the working day with glasses, my eyes constantly itched terribly, but now I completely forgot about it, which really surprised me, I hoped at least what was before the operation. And for all this, as well as for the great attention and high-quality approach to my work, I want to thank the entire team of the 3Z clinic, and, of course, personally the doctor Otkhozory Damiri Dzhemalievich!!! I have never seen so clearly (neither with glasses nor lenses) and it has never been so calm for my eyes! THANK YOU! You can’t even remember about the glasses in the photo already =)

Laser vision correction(LKZ) allows you to fully restore vision with myopia, farsightedness and astigmatism.

The speed of the procedure, the absence of pain, the stability of the results (in the absence of progressive myopia) make such an operation popular.

Recovery time after PRK

Discomfort after PRK procedure goes away on the third or fourth day.

The patient receives 70% planned result, in a month - 90%, and only during the next 5-6 months (sometimes 6-12) After the operation, vision is completely restored.

After LASIK

Already after 2-3 hours After LASIK surgery, the patient begins to see well. Vision is gradually restored in 24-48 hours. The final result is achieved within 1-3 months.

When one eye sees worse than the other after laser correction

This phenomenon occurs quite often, especially if before surgery there was difference in diopter between the two eyes. Moreover, visual acuity can change significantly several times during the day. This phenomenon can last up to half a year after operation.

1. Preservation postoperative edema that pass over time.
2. Spasm eye muscles, in this case, the doctor may recommend doing simple eye exercises.

Preservation residual myopia due to insufficient correction (hypocorrection).

In this case, it is possible to perform a second operation no earlier than after 1-2 months. It is after this time that it becomes clear whether the cause of visual impairment is spasm of accommodation(a temporary phenomenon due to excessive visual load) or has occurred regression myopia.

3. Hypercorrection- overcorrection. An additional operation is required.
4. Displacement or loss of a corneal flap(either the surgeon placed it unevenly, or the patient displaced it while rubbing the eye). Possible only after LASIK surgery. It is eliminated by suturing or reoperation.
5. Keratitis(inflammation of the cornea) due to trauma and the addition of a bacterial infection.

Important! After correction of high myopia (over 6 diopters) likely over time regression of myopia (deterioration of vision by 1-2 diopters).

Why vision is blurry

A hazy, blurry image is often seen in patients within 72 hours after surgery.

Clouding of the cornea due to slow recovery of damaged cells(common after PRK surgery).

As a treatment, the doctor prescribes eye drops, which protect the damaged cornea, eliminate swelling and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

1. A hazy image may be due to dry eye syndrome when a tear does not wash the eyelid enough. When using special drops, it disappears in one to two weeks.
2. Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) due to bacterial infection.

What to do if the patient does not see well

Postoperative symptoms requiring immediate medical attention:

• severe prolonged pain, especially in 24 hours after operation;
• Availability inflammatory process(preservation severe edema, redness, "sand" in the eyes) for a long time after surgery;
• bright flashes of light;
• sudden vision loss.

Attention! During, as a rule, months after vision correction, the ophthalmologist consults his patients free of charge.

Useful video

Check out the video, which tells how vision is restored after surgery, what recommendations to follow.

Vision correction - what is it? When is it needed? Analyzes and examinations for successful correction

Thanks

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

What does vision correction mean?

vision correction is one of the areas in ophthalmology and optometry, the main task of which is to achieve maximum visual acuity in the patient. There are several systems for measuring sharpness. vision, but everywhere there is a certain "standard", conditionally equal to one hundred percent. Regarding this norm, the visual acuity of the patient is determined. Currently, there are quite a few different methods of correction.

It should be noted that vision correction, as a rule, is necessary already in the absence of pathology. If the patient has a specific disease that reduces visual acuity, first of all, adequate treatment is necessary.
This belongs to the field of ophthalmology. If, for example, you pick up glasses without curing the underlying pathology, then your vision will continue to gradually deteriorate, and the glasses will no longer help.

The main task in this area is to ensure the best quality of life for the patient. To do this, they select the method that will bring visual acuity to the highest possible level. In addition, fitted contact lenses or glasses should not cause side effects ( dizziness, nausea, etc.). Therefore, there is the concept of “portability” of correction. In practice, not every patient can return one hundred percent vision. However, specialists involved in vision correction try to achieve the highest possible sharpness for a particular patient.

The perception of images by the human body occurs as follows:

• Objects that a person sees reflect or emit rays of light. In complete darkness, in the absence of light, a person will not see anything, regardless of his visual acuity.
• The eye consists of a number of structures capable of refracting light rays and focusing them on special receptors. The refractive system of the eye includes the cornea ( the shiny round part of the eye that is in front of the pupil) and lens ( physiological lens inside the eye that can change its curvature). Other anatomical structures inside eyeball play an auxiliary role and do not participate in refraction ( refraction of light rays).
• Normally, light rays are refracted in such a way that the image is focused on the retina. This is a special shell on the back of the eyeball that contains receptors that respond to light.
• Many nerve endings depart from the receptors, connecting to the optic nerve, which exits the orbit into the cranial cavity.
• In the cranial cavity, nerve impulses from the eyes are transmitted to the occipital lobes of the brain, where the visual analyzer is located. This is the section of the cerebral cortex, which perceives, processes and decodes incoming information.

Vision may be reduced if any of the above stages are impaired. Any therapeutic measures aimed at correcting these disorders can be considered vision correction.

What diseases require vision correction?

Strictly speaking, with various eye diseases, vision correction is a secondary task. The disease implies any disorder ( anatomical or physiological), which requires appropriate treatment. This will avoid complications in the future many diseases progress and can lead to blindness). Often, eye pathologies are accompanied by the appearance of a so-called refractive error. This means that the rays of light, passing through the refractive system of the eye, are not focused on the retina, which perceives information. It is the refractive error that requires correction, but first of all, it is necessary to diagnose and cure the underlying disease.

Vision correction is required for the following diseases and pathological conditions:

• Keratoconus. With keratoconus, the main method of treatment, which gives a good effect, is corneal transplantation. However, this is a rather complicated operation, and many patients refuse it or postpone it for some time. Before the operation, the patient is selected special lenses that correct vision.
• Cataract. A cataract is a pathological change in the lens, due to which light rays pass through it worse and do not reach the retina. In the initial stages, many patients have swelling of the lens. Its curvature changes, and it begins to refract the rays of light more strongly. As a result, the so-called false myopia occurs ( myopia) , which before operation ( for lens replacement) are corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
• retinal degeneration. Retinal degeneration is a violation at the level of the membrane of the eye that perceives light rays. Cell death in large numbers can lead to irreversible loss of vision. If treatment can stop the degeneration, vision correction may be needed. Since the retina does not take part in refraction, the correction here will have its own characteristics. The image can be focused in the required area, but vision is reduced due to partial death of receptor cells. Spectral glasses, which selectively block light rays of a certain wavelength, help in such cases. Thus, the patient does not see the entire color spectrum, but only some colors. However, visual acuity in these cases can increase markedly.
• Lens damage. Sometimes, as a result of an eye injury, the lens responsible for focusing the image at various distances is damaged. If for some reason it cannot be replaced, the lens is simply removed without implanting an artificial one. Correction is carried out using a strong lens ( about +10 diopters). Its optical refraction power partially compensates for the absence of the lens, and vision improves significantly. In young children with congenital eye anomalies, this correction is sometimes resorted to temporarily. After a certain age, an operation is performed to implant an artificial lens, and the need to use a lens disappears.
• Corneal trauma. In some cases, after an eye injury or surgery ( as a complication) can significantly change the shape of the cornea. As a rule, this leads to the development of complex astigmatism, when light rays are refracted differently in different directions ( meridians), and the image is not focused on the retina. Currently, it is believed that correction with scleral lenses is the most effective for such patients.

Also, pseudophakia can be attributed to conditions requiring vision correction. This is not a disease, but a consequence of treatment, when an artificial lens is implanted into the eye after a cataract. Many patients then have problems with near vision, and they are prescribed appropriate glasses.

It should also be noted that some eye diseases lead to visual impairment, which cannot be corrected. These are pathologies that kill cells at the level of the retina and optic nerve. These include, for example, glaucoma and severe retinal degeneration of various etiologies ( origin). In these cases, there is no refractive error that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The image is ideally projected onto the retina, but the eye is still not able to perceive it normally. Such pathologies without proper treatment and control lead to irreversible visual impairment and blindness.

Which doctors do vision correction?

Vision correction involves two large sections. First, it is necessary to diagnose and treat the pathology of the eye, which in many cases can progress or give various complications. They do it ophthalmologists ( enroll) and ophthalmic surgeons. Secondly, many patients need to fit glasses or contact lenses to restore normal vision. This is what optometrists do. The coordinated work of doctors at various stages allows most patients to achieve the desired result or maintain the existing visual acuity ( if there is irreversible damage or impairment).

In various cases, the following specialists may be involved in vision correction:

• Ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various eye diseases. It is to this doctor that patients usually turn when their vision begins to decline. If necessary, the ophthalmologist can refer the patient to a narrower specialist who will provide more qualified assistance with a specific problem.
• Children's ophthalmologist. Pediatric ophthalmology is often singled out as a separate branch, since vision correction here has its own characteristics. The eye grows in size as the child grows, and this can lead to both the progression of the disease and spontaneous improvement in vision. That is why the selection of glasses or contact lenses, as well as the decision on surgical treatment in childhood, requires increased attention. Only a pediatric ophthalmologist who is familiar with all these subtleties will be able to provide optimal vision correction in a child.
• Ophthalmic surgeon. An ophthalmic surgeon is a specialist in eye microsurgery. In fact, this is an ophthalmologist who has the skills necessary to perform surgical interventions on the eyeball. These specialists are engaged in surgical correction of vision. This may be necessary for a number of eye diseases. Surgery may also be performed to allow the patient not to wear glasses or contact lenses ( not in all cases there is such an opportunity).
• Retinologist. A retinologist is a specialist who deals with pathologies of the retina. His consultation is required if vision began to decline against the background of dystrophy ( dying off) retina, retinal detachment or malnutrition. Also, consultation with a retinologist is indicated for patients with diabetes mellitus ( even if vision has not yet begun to deteriorate).
• Strabolog. A strobologist is a subspecialist in ophthalmology who deals with the treatment of strabismus. This doctor will be able to most accurately determine the causes of this problem and advise the necessary treatment. Children are especially often referred to a strabolog, since many cases of strabismus can be corrected in childhood. Vision correction here involves the selection of the necessary glasses, and sometimes surgical intervention.
• Optometrist. An optometrist in many countries is not qualified as a doctor, as he cannot carry out a full diagnosis and prescribe treatment. However, it is this specialist who is directly involved in vision correction. His task is to select glasses or contact lenses that meet the individual needs of the patient. Patients who have already been treated by an ophthalmologist are referred to an optometrist, but their vision has not been restored one hundred percent. They are selected glasses depending on the nature of the work, the existing anatomical and physiological features. Certified optometrists work in opticians and major vision correction centers.

It should also be noted that sometimes vision is reduced against the background of systemic diseases that are not directly related to the organ of vision. In these cases, the ophthalmologist, having determined the cause, can refer the patient to a consultation with another specialist. For example, when diabetes vision may be reduced due to changes at the level of the retina. To maintain a normal blood sugar level, the patient will be referred to an endocrinologist. In other cases, it may be necessary to consult a neurologist, rheumatologist, etc. Of course, the ophthalmologist will also be directly involved in maintaining a normal level of vision. Just for a complete recovery in these cases, the joint efforts of several specialists are required.

Is it possible to correct vision in only one eye?

In some patients, due to injury or any disease, vision deteriorates in only one eye. Of course, in this case, vision correction will require an individual approach, although there are not many fundamental differences. For example, surgical interventions are in any case done on each eye separately ( e.g. laser correction or lens replacement for cataracts).

Spectacle correction is also possible, but in these cases it has some disadvantages. If necessary strong correction on one eye, more massive lenses are used here. On the second eye, such a correction is not needed, and the optician can insert a simple glass there that does not distort the image. As a rule, the thickness of this glass is selected so that its mass is approximately equal to the mass of the lens. Thus, the frame will look normal on the face ( with a difference in mass, it may be slightly skewed). However, outwardly the glasses will look different, which will create an aesthetic problem for a person. To avoid this, it is possible to select a contact lens that will be worn only on the eye that needs correction.

What type of vision needs correction?

There is no single answer to this question, since each patient decides for himself when he needs to see a doctor. For most people, vision gradually deteriorates with age, due to a number of anatomical and physiological changes ( first of all - a decrease in the elasticity of the lens). perfect vision ( one hundred percent) is a conditional value that doctors need as a guideline. Quite a lot of people have visual acuity of 150 - 300 percent, and sometimes more. This is an individual feature of a person. With a number of pathologies, the vision of such people can decrease by up to one hundred percent, and they will feel discomfort compared to their previous state. An attentive doctor, when examining such patients, will note a gradual deterioration and determine its cause.

In general, in the absence of pathology, the moment when vision correction is necessary is determined by the patient himself. It occurs when a person becomes uncomfortable to perform his usual actions at work, at home or in certain conditions. Often people turn to make special glasses for reading or working at a computer. Thus, the need for vision correction is largely dictated by the patient's lifestyle. Those people who do not face increased eye strain in everyday life can lead a normal life even with a decrease in visual acuity to 70-80 percent of the generally accepted norm.

However, there are a number of situations when vision correction is necessary for medical reasons. This usually happens when it comes to progressive eye pathologies. For such patients, the correct fitting of glasses or contact lenses is a chance to stop or slow down the problem.

Vision correction is necessary in the following cases:

• Congenital refractive errors. In children, for various reasons, congenital refractive errors may occur. This is due to the individual characteristics of the cornea, lens or abnormal size of the eyeball ( too "long" or too "short" eye). If you don't pick right glasses or contact lenses that will correct refractive error ( refraction of light), the body will begin to adapt itself to the prevailing conditions in the process of growth. As a result, strabismus may develop. Correct correction is especially necessary if visual acuity differs greatly in front of the eyes. In this case, children develop strabismus faster, and binocular vision may not develop ( vision with two eyes).
• progressive ( congenital and acquired) myopia. With congenital myopia, a variety of problems can appear in a child with age. Firstly, as the body grows, the eye will increase slightly in size, and visual acuity will fall more. Secondly, there is a risk of retinal detachment ( with axial myopia), which leads to irreversible loss of vision. Thirdly, amblyopia may develop, which in adulthood will be impossible to cure. All of these problems can be prevented with proper correction of myopia in childhood.
• Deterioration in the quality of life. This reason is the most simple and obvious. As soon as a person begins to experience difficulties at work or at home, he needs vision correction. This allows you to maintain your ability to work and improve the quality of life.

There are other less common indications for visiting an ophthalmologist.

Where to go for vision correction? ( centers, clinics, institutes, etc.)

Currently, there are many public and private clinics that offer a wide range of vision correction methods. For the selection of glasses or contact lenses, it is most convenient to contact an optician. Here, an initial examination of the patient is carried out, visual acuity is checked and a prescription for the manufacture of glasses can be issued. Some opticians also organize appointment hours for an ophthalmologist who gives consultations. If the optician does not provide such a service, the optometrist will refer the patient to a specialized specialist ( if any disease is suspected that requires specific treatment, and not just vision correction).

Specialists in various fields work in private clinics and vision correction centers. Most of these centers provide services for both surgical and optical vision correction. You can make an appointment with a specialist by phone ( registries) and sometimes online.

Do they do vision correction under the compulsory medical insurance policy ( compulsory health insurance) is free?

In principle, both surgical and non-surgical vision correction is covered by most health insurance policies. However, there are a few things that can affect this. They must be taken into account or clarified before contacting a medical institution for a free procedure.

The following conditions affect the inclusion of vision correction in the insurance policy:

• Policy type. In the case of health insurance, there are documents and contracts that detail the situations in which a person can expect to be reimbursed for the cost of medical services. Some policies may include vision correction, some may not.
• Visual acuity. Usually, health insurance covers diseases and problems that pose a danger to the patient or greatly affect the standard of living. With a slight decrease in vision, insurance may not include correction. Details can be obtained from the company with which the contract is concluded.
• Clinic or center providing services. Vision correction under the policy can only be done at a clinic or center that has a contract with an insurance company. In the case of compulsory health insurance, these are usually public hospitals and some private clinics. Also, insurance may not cover the full range of vision correction services available at the clinic. Details can be found both in the insurance company and in the clinic where the patient wants to receive medical services.

It should also be borne in mind that for vision correction according to the policy ( especially surgical) are usually written to the queue. Sometimes the operation can be waited for several years. Urgently under the policy, only correction or surgery is done that can prevent blindness or permanent vision loss. That is, only for certain diseases ( according to certain indications) vision correction can be done free of charge under the policy.

What disorders most often require vision correction?

Vision correction in the vast majority of cases involves the correction of the so-called refractive error. This means that with the help of special lenses, the light rays entering the eye are focused on the retina, which perceives the image and transmits it to the brain. Regardless of the causes that caused the violations, there are four main types of refractive errors. These are pathological conditions when the focus is shifted from the retina in one way or another, and the person begins to see poorly.

It is customary to distinguish the following types of refractive errors:

• myopia ( myopia);
• astigmatism;
• presbyopia.

Each of the above types has its own characteristics and requires appropriate vision correction. Separately, cases of impaired binocular vision with strabismus are considered, when the eyes perceive the image “separately”.

Vision correction for nearsightedness myopia)

According to statistics, myopia is the most common cause of decreased visual acuity. It is now common in both adults and children. In this case, the focal point is in front of the retina. As a rule, this is due to the fact that the eyeball has an elongated shape ( along the anteroposterior axis) or the refractive power of the cornea is too high. In any case, the correction involves the use of scattering ( minus) lenses. This moves the focus back to the retina and visual acuity returns to normal. People with myopia can see well at close range, but have difficulty distinguishing distant objects. In many cases, patients are prescribed distance glasses.

In the correction of myopia, doctors adhere to the following principles:

• Myopia under the age of 1 year is not corrected.
• In case of congenital myopia in children from 1 to 3 years of age, wearing glasses is recommended. Contact correction is also possible if the child tolerates it normally, and parents have the necessary skills to carefully remove and put on contact lenses.
• With the so-called school myopia ( in school-age children) there is a regular load on the eyes. Maximum vision correction is recommended.
• If the eye muscles are working normally, then the child is prescribed one pair of glasses for permanent use. If muscle weakness is detected, 2 pairs of glasses are prescribed, for distance and for near. At the same time, the pair for the near is weaker, and for the distance - stronger.
• Often with myopia, bifocals are used, which combine correction for distance and near. In the lower zone ( for reading) the correction will be smaller. This is necessary because with one pair of distance glasses ( which the patient wears at all times) is difficult to read and work at close range. At school age, such a correction may be temporary.
• Adults under 45 are usually prescribed one pair of fully corrected distance glasses ( up to 100% or as close as possible to this indicator).
• After 40-45 years, the patient may develop presbyopia ( age-related changes in the lens). With this combination, progressive glasses are recommended, in which the refractive power is maximum at the top of the lens and weakens from top to bottom.

Contact correction in myopia has its indications. Patients with a large difference in visual acuity in different eyes ( more than 2 diopters) may be uncomfortable with glasses and cannot be fully corrected. However, even with a small difference, it is sometimes more convenient to use contact lenses. They are recommended if the degree of myopia is more than -3. If the myopia is more than -6 diopters, then the glasses will simply be too massive, and side distortions will not allow the patient to quickly adapt to them.

When correcting myopia, it is important to pay attention to whether the problem is progressing. In many cases, the anteroposterior size of the eye gradually increases, and the degree of myopia increases. In childhood, progression is recommended to slow down with the help of night lenses. They can be used to correct myopia down to -6 diopters ( with some types of lenses and up to -8). In adulthood, myopia rarely progresses.

In the case of myopia, it is recommended to periodically visit an ophthalmologist or optometrist, who can measure visual acuity and determine whether the problem is progressing. This is especially necessary in childhood preventive examination should be done every six months). If you do not correct early myopia, various complications can develop. The child will not develop normal binocular vision ( there is constant double vision) and stereo vision ( volumetric perception of objects). In addition, divergent strabismus may develop over time and be more difficult to treat in the future.

Also, many patients resort to laser vision correction. It is possible if myopia does not progress. If, with progressive myopia, the shape of the cornea is corrected with a laser, the improvement will be temporary. Gradually, the eye will stretch more, and vision will deteriorate again. In such patients, it is preferable to implant a negative phakic lens ( a corrective lens is implanted directly into the eyeball, in front of the lens).

Self-purchasing glasses for the correction of myopia is not recommended for several reasons. First, the causes of this pathology are not known. The approach to treating myopia depends on other parameters of the eye ( refractive power, the presence of concomitant astigmatism, the size of the eyeball). Secondly, myopia may be temporary. For example, it may be a consequence of the so-called spasm of accommodation, when the muscles responsible for the curvature of the lens are tense. Temporary myopia may also occur with diabetes mellitus or while taking a number of drugs ( sulfanilamide antibiotics, etc.).

Correction of vision for farsightedness ( hypermetropia)

With farsightedness, the focus of the refractive systems of the eye is behind the retina, which reduces visual acuity. The cause of this problem may be insufficient curvature of the cornea or lens, or an anteroposterior axis of the eye that is too short. A patient with farsightedness has difficulty seeing objects both at close range and at a distance. However, in some patients ( especially in childhood) there may not be any symptoms or manifestations at all. This is due to the ability of the eye to change the curvature of the lens ( accommodation). Constantly tensing the muscles that fix the lens, the patient unconsciously shifts the focus to the retina, and visual acuity can be one hundred percent. This happens only if the lens tissues are sufficiently elastic, and the muscle is able to work for a long time. With age ( as well as with depletion of muscle capabilities) visual acuity deteriorates sharply.
That is why a slight hyperopia in young people is more difficult to suspect and identify than myopia.

Farsightedness is corrected with converging lenses that shift the focus to the retina ( bring it closer to the lens). Properly selected glasses or contact lenses relieve additional stress on the ciliary muscles responsible for accommodation. This removes rapid eye fatigue and improves the patient's well-being.

When correcting farsightedness, the following principles are followed:

• In childhood, correction is needed only if the child had a congenital cataract removed without implanting an artificial lens ( on average, a lens of +10 diopters is needed).
• At the age of 3 years, farsightedness with a degree of less than +3 diopters also does not require correction ( in the absence of additional evidence).
• In the event of a convergent strabismus, the child is prescribed glasses that are close to complete vision correction.
• At school, the child works a lot at close range ( reading, drawing, etc.), which in the case of farsightedness requires a lot of effort. For classes, glasses are prescribed to reduce eye strain. The degree of correction depends on many factors and remains at the discretion of the doctor.
• Adolescents in high school and in adults with farsightedness make a correction close to complete. It should be borne in mind that a complete correction in many cases is difficult, but it is not necessary. In any case, the muscles partially compensate for the error, and they must also be kept in good shape.
• After the age of 40, most people begin to develop presbyopia, which, as it progresses, excludes the possibility of accommodation and correction due to the work of the eye muscles. Therefore, such patients are usually prescribed two pairs of glasses ( for near and far), and the near glasses will be stronger.
• Correction of farsightedness with contact lenses is done less often, as patients adapt to them worse ( compared to lenses for myopia). Contact lenses are prescribed for a large difference in visual acuity in the eyes.

With a large refractive error, surgical replacement of the lens is possible. In this case, the artificial lens will be implanted taking into account the refractive error. Currently, there are so-called multifocal lenses with a certain elasticity. This allows the muscles of the eye to compensate for small errors by changing the refractive power of the lens within 1 diopter. If a patient with farsightedness begins to develop a cataract ( which in any case will require the removal of the lens), surgery is the best way out. Laser vision correction is also possible.

At a consultation with an ophthalmologist or optometrist, a patient with farsightedness should measure the amount of accommodation. This will allow you to more accurately select the necessary glasses or contact lenses.

Vision correction for astigmatism

Astigmatism is more difficult to correct than normal nearsightedness or farsightedness. Due to changes in the shape of the cornea or lens, the optical system of the eye creates several foci that do not fall on the retina. For the necessary shift of both foci and the formation of a normal image, cylindrical spectacle lenses or contact toric lenses.

When correcting astigmatism, the following rules are followed:

• Children under 1 year of age do not correct astigmatism.
• Up to 3 years, correction is required only if the error is more than 2 diopters ( sometimes at the discretion of the doctor and less).
• In principle, to return one hundred percent vision with astigmatism, a complete correction is needed. However, many patients especially children) are difficult to adapt to astigmatic lenses. In these cases, it is recommended to initially select a lower cylinder force ( incomplete correction). With age, the patient changes several pairs of glasses, and each time his correction is brought closer to full. Thus, by adulthood, the patient receives a complete correction and tolerates it well ( as adaptation was gradual).
• Many patients with cylindrical lenses have difficulty adapting. They need to be examined very carefully. Sometimes for good vision it is enough to choose the right spherical lens. But if the combination of sphere and cylinder gives better eyesight, you need to explain to the patient that the addiction period will pass, and he will not experience any inconvenience.
• Patients who cannot tolerate casts are often prescribed soft toric lenses that provide a correction similar to a cast. With a refractive error of more than 3 diopters, already rigid toric lenses are prescribed, since soft ones will repeat the irregular shape of the cornea and will not give a complete correction. Both with hard and soft toric contact lenses, the patient feels much more comfortable than with cylindrical glasses.
• In many cases, astigmatism can be corrected with laser vision correction. With the help of laser radiation, the shape of the cornea is leveled, and the patient's vision is significantly improved.
• Another option for patients with astigmatism is the surgical implantation of a toric lens ( intraocular lens). When properly selected, it also gives a good correction, and it is easier for the patient himself, since it does not need to be removed and put on again. The downside is certain risks associated with the operation itself.
• With large astigmatism, some patients are prescribed scleral lenses. Due to their large diameter, they cover not only the cornea, but also part of the sclera. Thus, correction with a scleral lens will not be affected by irregularities on the corneal surface.

Vision correction for presbyopia age-related decline in visual acuity)

Presbyopia is an extremely common problem that occurs in older people. It occurs due to problems with accommodation. The lens loses its elasticity, and the patient's near vision gradually deteriorates, although it may remain good at a distance for a long time. Correction of such a problem requires an individual approach.

When correcting vision in a patient with presbyopia, the following rules are followed:

• The vast majority of people after 40 years of age need different vision correction for distance and for near. To do this, most often order 2 pairs of glasses or 2 pairs of contact lenses, which are changed as needed.
• Progressive spectacles are the best solution for presbyopic patients. In them, the upper part of the lens is designed for distance vision correction, and the lower part is for near vision correction.
• Another solution is multifocal contact lenses. Here, the focal length for near is located in the center of the lens, and for distance - on the periphery. Gradually, the patient gets used to using different tricks as needed.
• With presbyopia, monovision vision correction is possible. In this case, different eyes give different vision correction ( even if both eyes have the same visual acuity). Correction is done in such a way that one eye will see well at a distance, and the other - close. For many patients, this can cause some discomfort, as problems with binocular vision are artificially created. Monovision correction is best suited for those people who have anisometropia from birth ( different visual acuity in different eyes). Such patients experience problems with binocular vision throughout their lives, and, therefore, it is easier to get used to different lenses.
• In some cases, it is convenient for patients with presbyopia to use bifocals. They are cheaper than progressive ones, although they have a similar effect. These glasses have two zones, for distance and for near, which allows you not to constantly walk with two pairs of glasses. However, unlike progressive glasses, there is no intermediate, transitional zone. Bifocal glasses for presbyopia are convenient to use during work ( when the necessary distance is clearly defined). However, walking in them on the street or driving a car is very difficult.

It should also be noted that laser vision correction for presbyopia is usually not done. This is due to the fact that visual acuity at close range falls due to a decrease in the elasticity of the lens. By changing the shape of the cornea with a laser, you can correct the situation only for a certain time. In the long term, presbyopia will still progress, and vision will begin to deteriorate again. It is impossible to do laser correction again, since this procedure makes the cornea thinner, and it is infinitely impossible to thin it.

Correction of vision in strabismus ( strabismus)

Strabismus is a very serious problem, so its correction is carried out by individual specialists - strabismus. First of all, the cause of this violation should be determined. Depending on this, appropriate correction methods will be selected. In many cases, achieve full vision ( 100% and binocular) does not work.

For patients with strabismus, the following options for correcting vision are available:

• Children with congenital strabismus need to be corrected. Otherwise, they will not develop binocular vision ( the brain does not learn to perceive the same image with both eyes), and it will simply be impossible to fix the problem in the future.
• If strabismus began to develop against the background of a refractive error, it should be corrected. To do this, the child is assigned appropriate glasses. With myopia, divergent strabismus may appear, and it is corrected minus points. With hypermetropia ( most common variant) develops convergent strabismus, and it is corrected with plus glasses.
• In adults, strabismus may occur due to problems with the nervous system ( the nerves that control the external muscles of the eyeball are affected). This type of strabismus is called paralytic. It is sometimes the result of a stroke, injury, or a number of other medical conditions. In some patients, these changes are reversible and the strabismus may be temporary. On the background effective treatment mobility and coordination of the muscles that rotate the eyeball are restored. Paralytic strabismus is treated by neurologists.
• In severe cases of strabismus, patients may be prescribed prismatic glasses that shift the perceived image and partially return binocular vision. Such glasses are selected by strabologists.
• Surgical correction of strabismus is possible, but has its drawbacks. Firstly, it is very difficult for the surgeon to calculate how much the muscle or its tendon needs to be “tightened” during the operation. Because of this, not all operations are successful. Sometimes the position of the eye only approaches normal. Secondly, if a child has not developed binocular vision, surgical correction will return it, and the eye will still not participate in the perception of visual information. In other words, the correction will be aesthetic. The patient will look normal, his eyes will move in sync, but the eye that was squinted before the operation will still not see anything.

Is it possible to correct vision if the eye "sees dimly"?

The causes of cloudy or blurred vision can be different. Indeed, with a large refractive error, a person may complain of blurry vision. In these cases, properly selected glasses or contact lenses will restore normal vision and remove the feeling of fog in front of the eye.

However, the reason may also lie in various pathologies of the eye, which require additional treatment. For example, with a cataract, the substance of the lens becomes cloudy, light passes through it worse, and a person has a feeling that the eye "sees cloudy". It is impossible to solve such a problem with glasses. An operation is required to replace the lens, which will restore the transparency of the optical media of the eye. A similar situation occurs with clouding of the sclera or some pathologies of the cornea. Only surgical treatment can help patients.

There are also a number of pathologies in which it is not possible to restore full vision. For example, with retinal degeneration or optic nerve atrophy, those parts of the eye that cannot be surgically replaced die. In these cases, the treatment is not aimed at restoring vision, but at maintaining the visual acuity that is currently available.

Thus, if the eye "sees dimly" the patient needs to contact an ophthalmologist who will conduct an examination and determine the cause of this problem. Only after the treatment of pathologies of the eyeball it will be possible to effectively select the necessary means of vision correction ( glasses, contact lenses, etc.).

Is it possible to stop the progressive deterioration of vision after childbirth?

According to statistics, many patients after childbirth have a deterioration in vision due to the fact that the existing myopia is progressing. In other words, the existing minus becomes larger. With hypermetropia ( farsightedness) such a relationship with childbirth is noted much less frequently. At the moment, it has not been reliably established what is the mechanism of myopia progression after childbirth. That is why there is no single effective treatment for such patients. If vision begins to deteriorate after childbirth, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the possible causes and the necessary correction. In many cases, normal vision can only be restored by wearing glasses and contact lenses ( changes are irreversible).

Also, a significant deterioration in vision is possible with various complications of pregnancy. For example, with eclampsia or metabolic disorders, pathological changes in the retina or optic nerve. Such conditions require urgent qualified assistance, as they can potentially lead to complete irreversible loss of vision.

What tests and examinations need to be done for successful vision correction?

In principle, vision correction does not imply any mandatory tests or analyzes. The selection of glasses or contact lenses can be carried out by all patients without exception, and this requires only a competent specialist and an office equipped with the necessary equipment. In parallel with the assessment of visual acuity, an ophthalmologist or optometrist may suspect any pathologies ( organ of vision or other body systems). In these cases, the selection of points may be delayed, and additional tests and examinations will be needed.

For example, if there are characteristic changes in the retina, the doctor may suspect that the patient has diabetes mellitus.
If the patient hears such a diagnosis for the first time, he is sent for a consultation with an endocrinologist, who can confirm the presence of this pathology. Glasses or contact lenses should be selected when the doctor is sure that vision will not deteriorate significantly in the near future for any reason. Otherwise, the patient will soon need a second correction.

Consultation with an ophthalmologist or optometrist

Actually, any vision correction begins with a consultation with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. It is these specialists who can expertly assess visual acuity and identify any problems. You can find them in almost all clinics or hospitals, as well as in specialized centers for vision correction. In most cases, in the absence of any disease, the patient will leave such a consultation with a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. If any pathology is found, the necessary treatment will be prescribed and a second consultation may be required.

For effective assistance at an ophthalmologist or optometrist consultation, the following information may be required:

• honest answers to questions about complaints and symptoms ( for example, rapid fatigue, difficulty reading or working at a computer, etc.);
• cases of visual impairment in relatives ( if known, specific diagnosis);
• related health problems past infections, chronic diseases);
• living and working conditions to understand what factors affect vision in everyday life);
• visual acuity at the previous examination ( if you have a doctor's note);
• a prescription for previous glasses or contact lenses;
• extracts from operations for vision correction ( if any).

All this information will help the specialist better understand why the patient's vision has decreased. It makes no sense to hide any details, as the result may simply be incorrectly selected glasses, and the consultation will be in vain.

During a consultation about a decrease in visual acuity, the doctor usually uses the following examination methods:

• Collection of anamnesis. Anamnesis is a detailed questioning of the patient to obtain subjective information. This helps the doctor to choose further examination tactics.
• Determination of the dominant eye. For most people ( However, not all) one eye is leading. Its definition is necessary for some types of vision correction. If it is not possible to achieve the best sharpness in both eyes, the optimal correction is given to the leader. There are several simple tests that help doctors perform this procedure. The simplest is the keyhole. The patient extends both arms and places one palm on top of the other, leaving a small opening. Through this hole he looks at the doctor. The doctor, looking at the patient, will see exactly the leading eye.
• Definition of strabismus. There is overt and covert strabismus that needs to be identified for optimal vision correction. Explicit strabismus can usually be seen with the naked eye. To determine the latent strabismus, there are a number of special tests.
• Measurement of visual acuity. This is a standard procedure for which special tables are usually used. Most tables are calculated for a distance of 6 or 3 meters, but you can "recalculate" the result obtained for a different distance. There are many types of tables for different categories of patients ( adults, children, people who cannot read, etc.). Sometimes visual acuity is determined using a special sign projector. In a standard examination, the doctor first checks the visual acuity of the right eye, then the left, then both eyes. The eye that is not being tested must be covered with the palm of your hand or with a special flap, but do not close or press on it ( this may affect the test results.). At the end of this procedure, the doctor notes the visual acuity for each eye separately and with binocular vision ( both eyes). If the patient came to the consultation already with glasses, the doctor should check them. The patient is asked to put on the existing glasses, after which the same determination of visual acuity is carried out. When selecting reading glasses, special tables with fonts of various sizes are used. During the test, the patient should not squint or try to bring the table closer.
• Interpupillary distance. Of great importance in the selection of glasses is the so-called interpupillary distance. This is the distance between the centers of the pupils, the points where most of the light rays normally fall. You need to determine it in order to correctly set the frame for the selection of glasses. The optical center of the test lenses must exactly coincide with the center of the pupil. In addition, the prescription for eyeglasses also indicates the interpupillary distance for the master optician. He will make lenses in such a way that they fit well in the selected frame ( regardless of its form) and provide the best vision correction. If you have certain skills, you can determine the interpupillary distance quite accurately using a regular ruler. There is also a special device - a pupillometer.
• Autorefractometry. In principle, this procedure is analogous to checking visual acuity. It is carried out using a special apparatus. The patient sits down at the apparatus, puts his chin on a special stand and looks at the picture. It is important to look at a specific remote object ( which one - says the doctor). At this time, the specialist necessary measurements. That is, the data are read objectively, without the direct participation of the patient. However, autorefractometry data is by no means the final result for which glasses or contact lenses are prescribed. Even the best device can give a significant error. It is especially difficult to obtain reliable data on visual acuity in children. That is why autorefractometry is carried out before the usual check ( using tables). By comparing the data obtained in both cases, the doctor will more accurately determine the visual acuity of the patient.
• Definition of binocular and stereo vision. There are a number of tests to assess the quality of a patient's binocular and stereo vision. With some pathologies, the eyes may seem healthy, but the brain does not perceive visual information well and processes it incorrectly.
• Subjective definition of refraction. This procedure is reduced, in fact, to the selection of the necessary lenses. The doctor, placing lenses from the standard set in front of the patient's eyes, tries to achieve the best visual acuity. Such selection of points is called subjective, since the result depends on the patient's answers ( how well he sees the shown letters or symbols). The selection of lenses can also be carried out using a special device - a phoropter, which automatically changes lenses. It should be noted that qualified vision correction does not end at this stage. The doctor must perform a few more screening tests to make sure that he did not make mistakes in the selection of points.
• Retinoscopy. This procedure is an objective method for determining visual acuity. The doctor sits opposite the patient and with the help of a special device ( retinoscope) directs light rays into each eye in turn. The device allows you to approximately determine visual acuity. The accuracy of this method is quite high and depends on the skills and experience of the specialist. The procedure is considered objective, as it does not depend on the responses or actions of the patient.
• Pinhole test. This test is performed after the selection of the necessary lenses. The doctor closes one eye of the patient with a special flap, and places a similar flap in front of the other, but with a small hole ( diameter approx. 1 – 1.5 mm). Through this hole, the patient's vision is checked using a table. If the visual acuity on the Pinhole test matches the visual acuity of the selected lenses, the glasses have been fitted correctly. If vision improves significantly through this hole, the lenses are not considered to be the best fit and the physician should recheck the results. The patient in theory can get better vision.
• Keratometry. This examination is usually done in parallel with autorefractometry. The device measures the diameter, thickness and radius of the cornea. This gives the doctor additional information about why the patient's vision may have deteriorated. This examination is especially important before laser vision correction, as well as when choosing contact lenses.

There are also a number of other tests that a specialist can perform during the consultation, but they are only necessary if there are certain indications. For example, patients after 35-40 years of age should definitely measure

All materials on the site are prepared by specialists in the field of surgery, anatomy and specialized disciplines.
All recommendations are indicative and are not applicable without consulting the attending physician.

A beam of light, before reaching the sensitive cells and further along the nerve path to the brain, is refracted several times in the eyeball. The main site of this process is the lens. How we perceive the object depends mainly on its properties and abilities. Correcting pathological changes in the lens is quite difficult, most effective way is its replacement - a complex, high-tech operation.

But there is an alternative method - the impact on the cornea. This is one of the layers of the spherical eyeball. It is in it that the primary refraction of light occurs before it hits the lens. Non-surgical vision correction for farsightedness, myopia or astigmatism involves the impact on the cornea with a laser and a change in its curvature.

Indications for laser vision correction

The operation is performed for three main eye diseases:

• Myopia. This disease is also called myopia. It occurs as a result of a change in the shape (stretching) of the eyeball. The focus is formed not on the retina, but in front of it. As a result, the image appears blurry to a person. Correction of myopia is possible by wearing glasses, lenses, laser and surgical methods. Elimination of the cause of the disease - an altered shape of the eyeball, is currently impossible.
• Farsightedness. The disease occurs due to a decrease in the size of the eyeball, a decrease in the accommodation of the lens (often happens in old age), insufficient refractive power of the cornea. As a result, the focus of nearby objects is formed behind the retina, and they look fuzzy. Farsightedness is often accompanied by a headache. Correction is carried out by wearing glasses, lenses, laser operations.
• Astigmatism. This term refers to a violation of a person's ability to see clearly. It arises from a violation of the shape of the eye, lens or cornea. Image focus is not formed on the retina. Often the disease is accompanied by migraine, eye pain, rapid fatigue when reading. It can be corrected by wearing special glasses with different longitudinal and transverse curvature of the lenses. But the most effective is laser surgery.

All these diseases are united under the general name "ametropia". These include ailments associated with a problem in focusing the eye.

Indications for vision correction surgery for the described three diseases are:

1. The desire of the patient to get rid of glasses, contact lenses.
2. Age from 18 to 45 years.
3. Refraction indices for myopia - from -1 to -15 diopters, for hyperopia - up to +3 diopters, with astigmatism - up to +5 diopters.
4. Intolerance to glasses or contact lenses.
5. The professional needs of patients, the requirement for special visual acuity and speed of reaction to the image.
6. stable vision. If the deterioration gradually progresses (more than 1 per year), then you first need to stop this process, and then talk about laser correction.

Contraindications

The operation is not performed in the following cases:

Preparation for laser correction

The patient must stop wearing glasses or contact lenses at least a week before the correction. At this time, it is better to take a vacation. This is necessary for the cornea to return to its natural shape. Then the correction will be more adequate, accurate. The doctor may extend the withdrawal period artificial lenses at your discretion.

Each clinic has a list of necessary tests that must be taken before the operation. Usually this is the absence or presence of certain infections, blood tests, urine tests. The test results have a limited validity period - from 10 days to a month.

For two days you need to stop drinking alcohol, using eye makeup. Before visiting the clinic, it is better to wash your hair and face. It is important to sleep well before laser vision correction, calm down and not be nervous. If the patient feels too scared or agitated, the doctor may recommend mild sedatives.

Varieties of the operation

There are two main methods of correction - PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and (laser keratomyelosis). The first operation allows correcting myopia up to 6 diopters, astigmatism up to 2.5-3 diopters. Both types of laser correction are performed sequentially: first on one eye, then on the other. But this happens in one operation.

Lasik is more often used to correct farsightedness and myopia complicated by astigmatism with a laser. This is because PRK requires a long (up to 10 days) healing time. Each type of operation has its pros and cons, but still Lasik is a more promising direction, so this method is most often preferred.

Photorefractive keratectomy

The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The doctor treats the eyelid and eyelashes with an antiseptic. Sometimes an antibiotic is additionally instilled to prevent infection. The eye is fixed with an eyelid dilator and flushed with saline.

At the first stage, the doctor removes the epithelium. He can do it surgically, mechanically and laser. After that, the process of evaporation of the cornea begins. It is carried out only with a laser.

Restrictions on the method are imposed by the required residual thickness of the cornea. To perform its functions, it must be at least 200-300 microns (0.2-0.3 mm). To determine the optimal shape of the cornea and, accordingly, the degree of evaporation, complex calculations are carried out using special computer programs. The shape of the eyeball, the ability of the lens to accommodate, visual acuity are taken into account.

In some cases, it is possible to refuse excision of the epithelium. Then the operations are faster and with less risk of complications. In Russia, the installation of domestic production "Profile-500" is used for this.

Laser intrastromal keratomyelosis

The preparation is similar to that for PRK. The cornea is marked with safe ink. A metal ring is put on the eye, which additionally fixes it in one position.

The operation takes place under local anesthesia in three stages. On the first the surgeon forms a flap from the cornea. He disconnects surface layer, leaving it attached to the main thickness of the tissue, using a microkeratome instrument - specially designed for eye microsurgery.

laser vision correction: the course of the operation

With a sterile swab, the doctor removes excess fluid. At the second stage he folds back the flap and produces laser vaporization of the cornea. The whole process takes less than one minute. The flap is also covered with a sterile swab for this time. At the third stage the separated piece is placed in its place, according to the marks applied earlier. Washing the eye with sterile water, the doctor smoothes the flap. Suturing is not required, the cut-off piece is fixed on its own due to negative pressure inside the cornea.

The possibility of the operation is determined largely by the anatomical structure of the patient's eye. For its implementation, it is necessary that the cornea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe eye be of sufficient size. The flap must be at least 150 microns thick. The deep layers of the cornea remaining after evaporation are at least 250 microns.

Video: how laser vision correction is done

Postoperative period, a reminder to the patient

On the first day after laser correction, the following reactions are normal:

• Pain in the operated eye. With Lasik, it is usually insignificant, it feels like a foreign object getting under the eyelid.
• Discomfort when looking at light.
• Lachrymation.

The patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics and corticosteroids to prevent the development of infectious or non-infectious inflammation. To prevent an increase intraocular pressure beta blockers may be prescribed.

In the first few days after surgery, the patient is recommended to:

• Stay in a darkened room. Light can cause pain, pain in the eyes. It unnecessarily irritates the cornea, which prevents its healing.
• Avoid touching the eye, especially on the first day. Important! It may seem to the patient that a speck has fallen under his eyelid, no need to try to remove it! If the discomfort is very strong, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. In the absence of cause for concern, he may prescribe drugs that reduce sensitivity.
• Refusal to shower and wash. It is very important that any chemical agents that may be contained in soap or shampoo do not come into contact with the eye. Even water sometimes has a negative effect on the operated eye.
• Refusal of alcohol until the completion of the course of taking medications. Antibiotics are incompatible with alcohol. It also impairs the effect of many other drugs.

During the first few weeks it is desirable:

1. Quit smoking and visiting polluted places. Smoke has a bad effect on the cornea, causes dryness, impairs its nutrition and blood supply. Because of this, it may heal more slowly.
2. Do not engage in sports that may affect the eyes - swimming, wrestling, etc. Corneal injuries during the recovery period are highly undesirable and can lead to irreparable consequences.
3. Avoid eye strain. It is important not to spend a lot of time at the computer, reading a book or watching TV. It is also worth refusing to drive a car in the evening.
4. Avoid bright light, wear sunglasses.
5. Do not use cosmetics for eyelids and eyelashes.
6. Do not wear contact lenses for 1-2 weeks.

Risks and consequences of the operation

Separate early and late postoperative complications. The first usually appear within a few days. These include:

• Non-healing corneal erosion. Its treatment is quite complicated, it requires the consultation of specialists of a narrow profile. Common methods of therapy are the use of collagen coatings of the cornea, contact vision correction (use of soft lenses).
• Reducing the thickness of the epithelial layer, its progressive destruction. It is accompanied by edema, the development of erosion.
• Keratitis (inflammation of the eye). It can have an infectious and non-infectious nature. Keratitis manifests itself in redness of the eye, pain, irritation.
• Opacities in the areas of evaporation of the cornea. They may also occur over later dates rehabilitation period. Their cause is excessive evaporation of corneal tissues. The complication usually responds well to resolving therapy. In some cases, you have to resort to a second operation.

The overall rate of late complications in Lasik is 1-5%, in PRK - 2-5%. In the later stages, the following negative consequences of laser correction may be revealed:

Restoration of vision

For the final establishment of the success or failure of the operation, as well as for the stabilization of its results, a rather long period usually has to pass. Recovery period can go up to 3 months. Only after its expiration do they make a conclusion about the effectiveness of the treatment, as well as about subsequent corrective measures.

The results differ depending on the type of surgery, the underlying disease and the degree of visual impairment. The best results are possible with correction in the initial stages of the disorder.

With myopia

The most predictable operation is Lasik. It allows in 80% of cases to achieve correction with an accuracy of 0.5 diopters. In half of the cases, in patients with minor myopia, vision is completely restored (acuity value - 1.0). In 90% of cases, it improves to 0.5 and above.

With severe myopia (more than 10 diopters), in 10% of cases, a second operation may be required. In this case, it is called pre-correction. When it is carried out, the already cut-off flap is raised and additional evaporation of a part of the cornea is carried out. Such operations are carried out 3 and/or 6 months after the first procedure.

Precise data regarding PRK vision correction is difficult to provide. The average visual acuity is 0.8. The accuracy of the operation is not very high. The diagnosis of undercorrection or hypercorrection is made in 22% of cases. Visual impairment occurs in 9.7% of patients. In 12% of cases, there is no stabilization of the result obtained. The big advantage of using PRK over LASIK is the low risk of keratoconus after surgery.

With farsightedness

In this case, the restoration of vision, even with the Lasik method, does not follow such an optimistic scenario. Only in 80% of cases it is possible to achieve a visual acuity index of 0.5 and higher. Only in a third of patients the function of the eye is restored completely. The accuracy of the operation in the treatment of farsightedness also suffers: only in 60% of patients the deviation from the planned refraction value is less than 0.5 diopters.

PRK is used to treat farsightedness only when Lasik is contraindicated. The results of such a correction are rather unstable, which means that quite a serious regression is possible over the years. With a weak degree of farsightedness, it is satisfactory only in 60-80% of cases, and with severe violations - only in 40% of cases.

With astigmatism

In this disease, both methods manifest themselves in almost the same way. Researches of 2013 were published on the Ophthalmological Portal. According to the results of observations, “no statistically significant difference in efficacy [efficacy index = 0.76 (±0.32) for PRK versus 0.74 (±0.19) for LASIK (P = 0.82)], safety [safety index = 1 .10 (±0.26) for PRK vs. 1.01 (±0.17) for LASIK (P = 0.121)] or predictability [achieved: astigmatism<1 Д в 39% операций, выполненных методом ФРК и 54% - методом ЛАСИК и <2 D в 88% ФРК и 89% ЛАСИК (P = 0,218)”.

However, it is worth noting that the percentage of successful operations is not too high - 74-76%. As well as the improvement in vision when using the Lasik method is slightly higher than with PRK.

The cost of laser vision correction, operations under the MHI policy

The question of the possibility of free vision correction is quite controversial. Insurance companies tend to classify such operations as cosmetic ones, which, according to the law, are paid for by patients on their own.

There is information about the possibility of obtaining such assistance for military personnel and their relatives in military hospitals. So, on the website of the Military Medical Academy. CM. Kirov city of St. Petersburg indicated: “The Academy conducts inpatient and outpatient appointments for military personnel and their families, as well as citizens who have MHI or VHI policies of companies that have entered into an agreement with the Military Medical Academy. Without a policy, the VMA provides services to the population on a paid basis.” The list of medical procedures provided includes “ laser vision acuity correction“. Probably, in general practice, such operations are carried out free of charge if there is an agreement with a specific hospital in the region of service / residence of the military and the technical capabilities of the medical institution.

The vast majority of laser vision correction operations are performed on a paid basis. However, working citizens, having written an application, can return a tax deduction - 13%. Also, many companies provide discounts to their regular customers and some social groups - pensioners, the disabled, students.

The cost depends on the type of operation, clinic and region. On average, in Moscow, PRK costs 15,000 rubles. Lasik, depending on the modification of the method - from 20,000 to 35,000 rubles. Prices are for vision correction in one eye.

Clinics in Moscow and St. Petersburg

The most popular and well-known in the two largest cities of Russia are the following medical centers:

To do or not to do vision correction is a question that the patient must decide for himself first of all. This operation is not among the necessary or vital. However, most patients who have undergone laser correction report a huge improvement in their quality of life and their well-being.

Video: LASIK laser vision correction - patient feedback

Video: laser vision correction - the course of the operation