Eye surgery: correcting vision with the laser
Until XVth century myopic people had no way of seeing it clearly. Only after the appearance of the first corrective lenses. Then in the 60's the first soft lenses. And as we do not stop the progress, we can even today make disappear myopia in minutes thanks to the laser. A very coveted operation by myoptics tired of wearing lenses or glasses. Through eye surgery, completed the daily ritual of lens placement, hygienic restraints, panic if one forgets his glasses at home.
Where does myopia come from?
To see well, the eye must project an image on the retina. If the image is formed in front of the retina, it becomes blurred. This is called myopia. Often myopic see very well near and far, but some myopia can see only a few inches. Obviously, the discomfort is daily. Going for bread without glasses or lenses can be a real ordeal, just like leaving the house without greeting a friend or a neighbor simply because we did not recognize it! Myopia appears in childhood or adolescence and evolves up to 20 years, sometimes more. Whether the myopia is low or high, it can be corrected with the laser that can change the thickness of the cornea.
The intervention
A visit to your ophthalmologist is essential. It will allow you to know the possible pathologies which could prevent the operation as well as the peculiarities of your ocular system. The procedure lasts only a few minutes (between 10 and 15 on average). It is done under local anesthesia (using anesthetic eye drops). Before the operation, it is necessary to remove his lenses and put in each eye antibiotic eye drops. The Excimer laser was the first true laser technique, followed by Lasik, which remains the most widely used method today. In the case of the latter technique, the power of the laser varies according to the myopia of each and the recovery is fast. The intervention, which lasts about twenty minutes, consists of cutting a small portion located in the cornea followed by laser treatment.
After the procedure, it is important to avoid contracting a bacterium. To avoid contamination, sea bathing, swimming, strong winds, rubbing of the eyes with the hand are to be avoided.
Side price, it will take between 2500 and 3000 euros. If you prefer to opt for an even more elaborate method, there is the technique called femtosecond that cuts the lamella of the cornea directly to the laser. The main advantages are precision and comfort but the price is higher: around 3500 to 4000 euros.
Unfortunately for the wallet, these operations are not covered by Social Security. On the other hand, there are additional insurances that can support part of the intervention.
Who is concerned ?
Refractive surgery is not intended for myopia of more than 10 diopters. Intervention is only possible if myopia has stabilized. Generally, it is necessary to wait at least to be 22 years old to be able to claim it. The thickness of the cornea also plays an important role in the procedure. Presbyopes can also benefit from new surgical techniques. Your ophthalmologist will be able to offer you several solutions: special lenses, multifocal implants or even a laser cornea operation (the goal is to make it multifocal, that is to say to allow a clear vision from far and near for each eye).
Eye implants
Low myopia (between -1 and - 4 dioptres) or presbyopes can opt for ocular implants. These are rings placed inside the cornea. The stronger myopia will turn rather towards intraocular lenses but their cost is rather high. These solutions have some disadvantages: a good follow-up of the doctor, a visual fatigue which can be troublesome. But these implants are reversible so, in case of problems, they can be easily removed. Count on average between 500 and 1000 euros per implant.
