What is eye surgery?
Eye surgery is any type of operative procedure of the eyes, ocular muscles, or eyelids. Modern technology has changed the way ophthalmologists perform eye surgery to correct vision problems and even reshape the eyes. There are a variety of minimally invasive procedures and traditional surgeries that the Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center team can provide.
What are the different types of eye surgery?
The team offers many types of eye surgery at their Philadelphia office, such as:
LASIK
Short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, LASIK is a popular procedure that removes a small amount of tissue from underneath the cornea to improve the focus in your vision. By reshaping the cornea, LASIK can help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and even astigmatism. Most people opt for LASIK if they’re tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Unlike other surgical procedures, LASIK is an outpatient procedure that doesn’t require a hospital stay. Many people notice improvements in their vision just one day after the 30-minute procedure.
PRK
Similar to LASIK, PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, rather than remo\ving tissue from underneath your cornea, PRK removes the top layer of the cornea to improve focus.
Some patients are better suited for PRK than LASIK, but your ophthalmologist can determine the right treatment for you. While PRK takes just 10 minutes, your eyes may feel more irritated after the procedure than they might with LASIK, since your doctor must remove some of your cornea’s surface. Most patients experience noticeable improvements in their vision after four weeks.
Cataract surgery
Cataracts cloud the lens of the eye, resulting in constant blurry vision. Many patients describe cataracts as looking through a foggy window. To correct this problem, the team removes your damaged lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens.
Like LASIK, cataracts surgery is an outpatient procedure that does not require a hospital stay. Your vision may start to improve within two days after surgery.
Glaucoma surgery
When pressure builds up inside the eye, it can cause severe damage to the optic nerve, leading to glaucoma. This is a serious condition that can lead to complete vision loss if left untreated. The team offers both laser surgery and traditional surgery to relieve the pressure in your eye if you have glaucoma. Most patients opt for laser surgery, however, not everybody is a good candidate for the procedure.
After glaucoma surgery, your eyes may feel temporarily blurry and watery, but your vision should improve within a week.
What are the risks of eye surgery?
Eye surgery can significantly improve your vision, but there are certain side effects to consider before your procedure, including:
- Dry eyes
- Double vision
- Glares or halos
- Under-corrections or over-corrections
- Vision changes
- Astigmatism
The best candidates for eye surgery have a strong immune system and are healthy overall. To schedule a consultation with the team, call Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center.
