Refractive Surgery

Overview

A refractive error is something about the natural shape of your eyes that makes your vision blurry. Refractive errors are some of the most common vision problems people experience.

The parts of your eyes work together like a relay team to pass light that enters your eye along a pathway to your brain. Light passes through your cornea — the clear part at the front of your eye. Your cornea focuses that light through your lens into a signal that hits your retina — the layer at the very back of your eyeball. Your retina converts that light into electrical signals that your optic nerve sends to your brain. Your brain then uses those signals to create the images you see.

Types Of Refractive Error

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

People with myopia can see close objects clearly but struggle to see distant objects because light focuses in front of the retina.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Those with hyperopia can see distant objects more clearly than close ones because light focuses behind the retina.

Astigmatism

This occurs when the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances.

Presbyopia

This is an age-related condition where the lens becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus on close objects, often becoming noticeable in middle age.

Symptoms of Refractive error

Blurred vision: Difficulty seeing objects clearly at various distances.
Eye strain: Discomfort or fatigue from focusing on tasks like reading or computer use.
Headaches: Often due to the eyes working hard to focus properly.
Difficulty seeing at night: Trouble seeing clearly in low light conditions.
Double vision: Seeing two images of a single object, especially with astigmatism.
Squinting: Involuntary action to try to improve focus and clarity.
Frequent changes in prescription: Needing new glasses or contact lenses more often.
Difficulty with detailed tasks: Problems with activities requiring sharp vision, such as reading or sewing

Treatments @ ABO

1. Surface Ablation

Surface Ablation refers to a category of refractive eye surgeries where the outer layer of the cornea is directly treated with a laser to correct vision. Unlike methods that involve creating a flap in the cornea, surface ablation works on the corneal surface. Here are the primary techniques:

1.PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Under this process, an outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is removed, and a laser is used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. The epithelium then naturally regenerates over time.

Advantages : Suitable for patients with thinner corneas or other conditions that may not be ideal for flap-based procedures. Generally, it avoids complications related to flap creation.

2.TransPRK (Transepithelial PRK): It is an advanced form of PRK where the removal of the epithelial layer and the laser reshaping of the cornea are performed in a single step. This technique uses the same laser to ablate both the epithelium and the stroma.

Advantages: More comfortable post-operatively compared to traditional PRK, with potentially faster recovery due to the elimination of the need for separate epithelial removal.

ABO Eye Institute Support :

ABO Eye Institute offers tailored evaluations to determine if surface ablation is the right approach for each patient. They utilise advanced technology for precise treatment and provide comprehensive pre- and post-operative care to ensure optimal results and patient comfort throughout the healing process.

2. Ablation under flap refers to a group of laser eye surgeries where a flap is created in the cornea, and then the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped with a laser to correct refractive errors. Here’s a brief overview of the key methods:

Lasik (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis): A flap is created in the outer layer of the cornea, and a laser is used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue.

Advantages – Rapid visual recovery, minimal discomfort, and usually quick healing.

Epilasik: A variation of Lasik where a very thin epithelial flap is created, allowing the laser treatment to be applied to the corneal stroma.

Advantages – Reduces the risk of flap-related complications and is often used for patients with thinner corneas.

Contoura Lasik: An advanced form of Lasik that uses topographic mapping to create a highly personalised treatment plan, correcting not just refractive errors but also irregularities in the cornea.

Advantages – Improved visual outcomes, especially for individuals with corneal irregularities, and enhanced precision in correcting vision.

ABO Eye Institute Support:

ABO Eye Institute provides comprehensive care throughout the process, from initial consultations and advanced diagnostic testing to the surgery itself and follow-up care. They use cutting-edge technology and highly skilled professionals to ensure the best possible results for patients undergoing ablation under flap procedures. 3. Lenticular Extraction

Lenticular Extraction is a refractive eye surgery technique where a small disc-shaped piece of corneal tissue (called a lenticule) is removed to correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). The procedure aims to reshape the cornea to improve visual acuity.

Lenticular Extraction

1. Basic Concept:
A small lenticule of corneal tissue is extracted through a tiny incision, often using a femtosecond laser. This technique reshapes the cornea by removing specific layers of tissue, allowing for improved vision without the need for a large corneal flap.

Advantages: Minimally invasive, often resulting in less postoperative discomfort and faster recovery compared to traditional methods involving larger incisions or flaps.

2. CLEAR Method (Corneal Lenticule Extraction with Anterior Segment Laser):
The CLEAR method represents an advanced approach to lenticular extraction, utilizing precise laser technology to extract the lenticule with greater accuracy and control. This technique improves visual outcomes and reduces complications by enhancing the precision of the lenticule removal process.

Advantages: Higher precision and customization of treatment, potentially better visual outcomes, reduced risk of complications, and generally faster recovery compared to traditional lenticular extraction techniques.

ABO Eye Institute Support: ABO Eye Institute provides cutting-edge lenticular extraction treatments, including the CLEAR method, to ensure the highest standards of care. They offer thorough pre-operative assessments to tailor the procedure to each patient’s specific needs, utilise advanced laser technology for optimal precision, and deliver comprehensive follow-up care to support a smooth recovery and excellent visual results.