Surgery to correct vision with a laser is a fairly popular procedure: a lot of time is not required for it, and pain is reduced to zero. But is everything as safe and simple as they write about it on the websites of ophthalmological clinics?

The most urgent questions about laser vision correction are answered by the candidate of medical sciences, the head of the ophthalmology department of the K + 31 clinic Sergey Igorevich Abramov. 

– The first laser operation was performed in the 80s. How has technology changed during this time?

– For the first time, the refractive surgery using an excimer laser in combination with the keratomileusis technique was performed in 1989 by L. Buratto and S. Pallikaris. From this moment begins the story of LASIK. In our country, the first operation with modification (REIC) was performed by professor V.V. Kurenkov in 1996. The operation technique to this day is practically no different from the original, but the lasers themselves and additional diagnostic devices have gone a long way. Electronic systems for monitoring the position of the eye appeared, laser ablation technology has changed, corneal thickness control during surgery, frequency of shots, etc. Corneal analyzers are now used for diagnostics, which make it possible to accurately measure thickness and make topographic maps of the front and back surfaces of the cornea, aberrometers that make it possible to detect aberrations (optical system errors) of the human eye for accurate laser correction, etc.

– To whom is laser vision correction indicated?

– Laser vision correction is indicated for young people aged 20 to 40 years old with refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism  

– How to prepare for the operation?

– For the operation, it is necessary to undergo a thorough diagnostic examination of the eyes. In our clinic, it takes about 1.5-2 hours. 3-4 days before the examination, it is necessary not to use contact lenses. Before surgery, we recommend that you do not use contact lenses for a week. 

Contraindications and complications after surgery 

– Contraindications to refractive surgery are autoimmune diseases, primary and secondary immunodeficiency states, systemic diseases that affect healing processes, a single eye, corneal thickness less than 450 (440) microns, glaucoma, keratoconus with thinning of the cornea, progressive myopia, cataract, regardless of stage development, operated retinal detachment, acute infectious diseases and exacerbations of chronic processes, pregnancy and lactation.  

Complications with this type of operation in the world are found in 1-2%. They are most often associated with a mechanical shift of the corneal flap by the patient.

– How to behave during the rehabilitation period?

– In the postoperative period, we recommend that you do not give visual loads for several days. For 1 month you can not visit the pools, baths, tanning salons. Exclude physical exercises with heavy weight. 

– Is it possible to do surgery for older people? In general, are there age restrictions

– There are no age limits for refractive surgery. There are absolute and relative contraindications that a person may have with age. 

– Give an example of myths about laser vision correction and, if possible, refute them

– Example 1. After the operation, you can not lift weights and play sports.

Within a month, we ask you to refrain from excessive physical exertion, because this can be accompanied by intense eyelid tension, sweat from the forehead, etc. But after a month, these restrictions are removed. Most often, these operations are done by athletes in order not to use glasses and lenses. 

Example 2. After the operation, vision may again deteriorate.

This can only be if the operation was performed on the growing eye. If the progression of myopia has stopped, vision will not deteriorate.

Example 3. The patient is afraid that he will lead the eye and the laser will “miss.”

It just can’t be. An excimer laser has the latest eye tracking system, which tracks the position and “shoots” only at the desired points.

Example 4. Laser correction can be done only after childbirth.

Not true. Laser correction can not be done only during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as during this period, estrogens in a special way affect the cornea.

Example 5. The myth that you need to abandon oral contraceptives.

If you constantly take oral contraceptives, then you do not need to refuse them before and after the operation.