Dear readers, this week our topic is laser correction of visual defects in the eye.
Laser technology has been used in the treatment of eye diseases for many years. Different laser technologies are applied for different eye diseases. The operations commonly known as “laser eye glasses removal” surgery or “laser eye correction” are treatments using “excimer laser”. Myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism can be treated with excimer laser. Lasik is the most common and comfortable treatment among the operations to get rid of glasses and contact lenses with laser using excimer laser. The reason for the popularity of the Lasik operation is that it is a completely painless operation and gives a fast result. In line with your questions, we asked laser operations to Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Sibel Şalvarlı, one of the doctors of Ankara Liv Hospital.
What are the refractive errors of the eye?
Refractive errors of the eye are myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. If the image coming into the eye focuses in front of the visual center, it is called myopia, if it focuses behind it, it is called hyperopia, and if it focuses in different planes in front of or behind the retina, it is called astigmatism. Structural disorders of the cornea and lens, insufficiency or excess of their refractive power cause refractive errors.
What are the treatment methods for refractive errors?
We can correct refractive errors with various interventions on refractive media such as the cornea and lens. The most commonly used method is excimer laser and different methods have their own advantages and weaknesses. However, Optilasik, which came to life with refractive suites, brings a more advanced dimension to the excimer laser methods known so far.
What is Optilasik?
Optilasik is an eximer laser technology that treats the cornea by adhering to its natural anatomical shape, thus preventing the formation of unwanted glare and reflection due to the laser. By offering an optimized wave front and four different personalized treatment options, it allows us to use a technology beyond the era and achieve the perfect result.
How is suitability for excimer laser determined in optilacik?
One of the most important stages in laser treatment is undoubtedly the initial examination. The more detailed and accurate this examination is, the more successful your postoperative result will be.
How do the devices used affect the effectiveness of the treatment?
The second important point is that the examination devices and the femtosecond laser and excimer laser devices with which we perform the surgery have advanced technology. In Optilacik, the diagnostic and laser devices are interconnected and data transfer between them is uninterrupted and independent of the human factor. This technology eliminates the possibility of erroneous data input by the doctor or technician.
Does the speed of the laser devices affect the result?
Speed also plays a critical role in the success of the operation. During the operation, the tissue we call “stromal bed” should not dry out. The faster the excimer laser device, the less likely it is to dry out and the result deviation is minimized.
What is personalized laser (wave front)?
Vision is a complex event. In excimer laser, not only refractive errors but also reflections in the eye are treated today. Wave front is a technology that measures optical aberrations in the eye, calculates them mathematically, transfers this information to the laser system and provides personalized treatment.
What is truly personalized treatment?
Although many devices today have the possibility of personalized laser treatment, unfortunately, due to the uniform wave front, similar treatment is applied to each patient. However, with optilasik, maximum results can be obtained by using personalized treatment options according to the individual's eye structure.
Can you tell us about the advantages of OPTILASIK?
With the refractive suite, all data can be instantly transmitted to the entire system, eliminating the possibility of human error. Fast and personalized flap is created. Thanks to the speed of the excimer laser, there is no drying in the operated area. It preserves the natural anatomical shape of the cornea and prevents unwanted reflection and glare.
Who is Op. Dr. Sibel Şalvarlı?
She was born in 1970 in Gölcük. She graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1993. She specialized in Ankara Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic. Since 1999, she has worked in the field of refractive surgery in various hospitals. As of 2015, he started working at LIV Hospital Ankara Eye Clinic. He has 15 years of ophthalmology experience and thousands of successful surgeries.