What is eye surgery?
Surgery involves the physical manipulation, removal, or repair of organs and tissues to treat diseases. Often, this entails making incisions in an organ. Specifically, in the context of eye surgery, the organ in question is the eye, while the tissues involved include the surrounding muscles and nerves.
Alternative terms for eye surgery include ocular surgery and ophthalmic surgery. Ophthalmologists serve as eye surgeons.
What conditions are treated with eye surgery?
Eye care providers may suggest surgery for many types of eye conditions, including:
- Cataracts.
- Refractive error, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
- Eye cancer.
- Ptosis.
- Retinal detachment.
- Glaucoma.
Can eye surgery improve vision?
In numerous instances, surgical procedures on the eyes can enhance visual acuity. For instance, surgical intervention can lead to improved vision by addressing refractive errors, cataracts, and significantly drooping eyelids.
What are some types of eye surgeries?
A healthcare provider will perform various procedures to achieve different outcomes. Certain categories of eye surgery encompass
- Vision correction surgeries, including LASIK eye surgery and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Some people refer to these types of surgeries as laser surgery, but surgeons also use lasers for other types of surgeries.
- Cataract surgery.
- Corneal transplants. Other names for this procedure are keratoplasty and corneal grafting.
- Vitrectomies.
- Strabismus surgery.
- Surgery to repair an open globe injury.
- Surgery to remove an eye (enucleation).
- Surgery to treat glaucoma. These surgeries include trabeculectomy or tube-shunt surgery. These procedures create new pathways for fluid in the eye to drain to lower the pressure.
- Some types of plastic surgery on your face can involve surgery on the structures around your eyes, including eyelid surgery.
What type of eye surgery is best?
The specific type of eye surgery that addresses your medical condition is the most suitable option for you. In recent years, advancements in laser and robotic technology have enhanced certain types of eye surgeries, rendering them the “best” choice for those particular cases.
How common is eye surgery?
Certain eye surgeries are more prevalent than other types of procedures. Factors influencing the frequency of these surgeries include insurance coverage, accessibility to healthcare, and the availability of tissue donors.
Certain eye surgeries are more prevalent than others. Approximately 20 million cataract surgeries are conducted globally each year, with around 3.7 million of those occurring in the United States. Furthermore, in 2020, ophthalmologists carried out about 800,000 laser refractive procedures in the U.S., and they perform roughly 47,000 corneal transplants annually.
Treatment Details
What happens before an eye surgery?
Typically, prior to any procedure, a healthcare provider will request that you refrain from eating or drinking for a designated time before the surgery. In numerous instances, they will advise you to cease all intake by midnight. It is advisable to inquire with them to verify the exact duration in advance that you should abstain from eating or drinking.
In specific circumstances, they might ask you to stop taking regular medications before the surgery. It is recommended to consult with them to determine which medications you should discontinue and the correct timing for this action.
Numerous routine eye procedures allow for same-day discharge. It is necessary to have an adult accompany you for transportation home following the surgery, and you may require someone to remain with you for a period after returning home.
What happens during an eye surgery?
Numerous eye surgeries utilize local anesthesia, allowing you to remain awake without experiencing pain. This aspect is crucial due to the required positioning of your head and eye during the procedure. It is essential for you to maintain a flat and motionless position. The healthcare provider will cover the eye that is not undergoing surgery.
Certain medical procedures necessitate the application of topical anesthesia. This involves the use of a drop or gel that numbs the eye, rendering it insensitive to sensation. Such a method is applicable in surgeries such as cataract extraction or vision correction procedures.
Other forms of eye surgery, such as those aimed at repairing globe injuries, necessitate the use of general anesthesia. Your child may require general anesthesia for an eye procedure, or you may need it if you are particularly anxious about the operation itself.
The characteristics of the surgical procedure dictate the occurrences during the operation. Different procedures require specific types of preparation, anesthesia, equipment (such as lasers), and implants.
What happens after an eye surgery?
If you have undergone an outpatient procedure, it is necessary to have an adult driver to transport you home. Your healthcare provider will provide you with details regarding what to anticipate concerning pain management, medications, eye covering, head positioning, and vision enhancement. A follow-up appointment will be required relatively soon after the surgery.
The duration of recovery will also be influenced by the specific type of surgery performed. Recovery from cataract surgery and vision correction procedures tends to be quicker compared to other surgical types.
Risks / Benefits
What are the advantages of eye surgery?
All surgical procedures, including those related to the eyes, must weigh the advantages against the potential risks. In numerous instances, eye surgery will address a medical issue and/or enhance your visual acuity.
What are the risks or complications of eye surgery?
The majority of eye surgeries are considered to be quite safe. Nevertheless, as with any medical procedure, there are inherent risks. The potential risks or complications associated with eye surgery can differ based on the specific type of surgery performed. In general, the risks may encompass:
- Dry eyes.
- Seeing glare or halos.
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Blurred vision.
- Decreased vision.
It’s important to review and understand benefits and risks with your ophthalmologist prior to the procedure.
Recovery and Outlook
What is the recovery time after eye surgery?
Recovery durations differ based on the specific type of eye surgery performed. In the case of cataract surgery, full recovery may take between four to eight weeks; however, you should be able to resume your normal activities sooner than that. For LASIK and comparable procedures, it could take as long as four weeks to return to all your usual activities, although you might be able to return to work the very next day. Regarding a vitrectomy, you can expect to be away from work or school for approximately two to four weeks. It is essential to adhere to the guidelines regarding head positioning.
For glaucoma surgery, the expected recovery period is approximately two to six weeks.
For corneal transplants, you could achieve complete vision within three months. However, it may require up to 12 months or longer.
When To Call the Doctor
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Typically, when a procedure is performed, the provider will specify in your discharge documentation when it is necessary to contact or visit an emergency room. Such situations may encompass:
- Having more pain than expected.
- Experiencing excessive bleeding.
- Developing symptoms of an infection, such as swollen skin, a fever or seeing pus in the wound.
- Being unable to see clearly or at all.
A note from Kapoor Eye Centre
The eyes are vital yet delicate organs, and it is natural to feel apprehensive regarding eye surgery. Numerous types of eye surgeries exist, with several of the more frequently performed procedures being conducted on an outpatient basis. It is essential to consult with your ophthalmologist about the procedure to ascertain if it is the most suitable option for you, as well as to assist you in feeling ready for the day of surgery and your subsequent recovery.
Care at Kapoor Eye Centre
Your vision allows you to perceive the world around you. Therefore, it is essential to maintain their health. Kapoor Eye Centre provides extensive ophthalmology services to assist you in this endeavour.
