Learn about the indications and recovery process of refractive laser surgery as a treatment for myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, and presbyopia.
One of the most common conditions in people are refractive problems of the eye, it is necessary that they are identified and diagnosed early because if it is not treated in time it can generate more serious complications.
In this article, we will talk about laser surgery for refractive problems of the eye in Guatemala, know the indications and recovery process of refractive laser surgery as a treatment for myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, and presbyopia, surely this information will be very useful!
What is refractive surgery?
It is the set of surgical techniques that aims to eliminate or minimize refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Refractive errors are eye disorders that do not allow people to focus on images clearly and blur their vision as a result.
The three most common refractive errors are:
- Myopia: difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly
- Hyperopia: difficulty to see clearly near and distant objects.
- Astigmatism: distorted vision associated with the curvature of the cornea, the cornea being the transparent tissue that covers the eyeball.
How are refractive problems of the eye corrected?
Refractive errors can be corrected through laser techniques (laser refractive surgery) with Femtosecond (Femto-LASIK or iLASIK), this technique, replaced the conventional technique of LASIK, where it was performed by a blade with a microkeratome instrument.
Thanks to advances in laser system technology, using the new generation excimer laser AMARIS 1050R, the application of the laser can be as fast, precise, and effective with times of less than 5 seconds, allowing the patient rapid rehabilitation and recovery in less than 72 hours.
Those patients with high prescriptions (astigmatism and high myopia), dry eye, keratoconus, and/or who are not candidates for laser refractive surgery can be performed through an ICL type phakic intraocular lens implant.
In Central America Doctors have highly trained doctors such as Dr. Gutierrez who is certified and internationally recognized with the ICL technique, which like laser techniques can rehabilitate and incorporate into their daily activities in 72 hours.
A fourth disorder is presbyopia, characterized by difficulty in reading or focusing images in close activities, which is a progressive phenomenon that appears from age 40.
Presbyopia can be corrected through the use of high-tech multifocal intraocular lenses. The procedure is performed through the technique of phacoemulsification, in this procedure is used to correct the refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism) of the patient with the same lens, seeking independence from glasses for distant, intermediate and near vision, in less than 90% of daily activities.
Cataract is a clouding of the lens that can occur in people over 50 years of age and causes progressive vision loss to blindness. The treatment for cataract, is performed by the technique phacoemulsification, surgery consists of removing the natural lens (crystalline) opaque (cataract) through a mini-incision of 2 mm and is replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) of high technology, lenses known as multifocal intraocular lenses.
What is the recovery period from laser surgery for refractive problems of the eye?
The surgery is an outpatient procedure, with an average rehabilitation and rest period of 4-7 days that vary depending on the activities of each patient. In this way, those patients who suffer from hyperopia, astigmatism, myopia, and/or presbyopia can reduce and/or eliminate their dependence on glasses for daily activities of near and intermediate vision such as the use of cell phones, computers, tablets, paint, among others; and far vision activities such as driving, golf, movies, sports, and more.
Now you know what laser surgery is for refractive problems of the eye in Guatemala, the indications and the recovery process of refractive laser surgery as a treatment for myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, and presbyopia.
If you have any symptoms do not hesitate to contact us
Dr. Mario Gutierrez
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Centro de Retina & Macula Consultores de Guatemala
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