Various conditions can affect your eyes as you get older. Some conditions, for example, droopy eyelids, cataracts, and glaucoma, specifically affect more senior age groups. The younger population may require eye procedures for better vision. There are different types of eye surgeries, and these surgical procedures are reserved only for advanced cases. This article will highlight the most common types of eye surgeries.
Common eye surgeries:
Surgical procedures are used to treat various conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or cataract. Some surgeries like LASIK and PRK are more conservative and cause minimal tissue disruption. Eye surgery in Calgary is often covered by health insurance, but you may need to check the policies if you live in another area. Surgeries performed for aesthetics or beautification are not covered by health insurance. Following are the most common eye surgeries:
LASIK
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK) is a standard eye procedure that helps to increase vision. It is widely popular among the younger population because it removes the need to wear eyeglasses. It is a type of refractive surgery that improves the eye’s focus and vision. The procedure involves removing short tissue just beneath your cornea, reshaping the overall structure resulting in better focus and vision in your eyes. LASIK eye surgery in Calgary and other areas of Canada is often performed as an outpatient procedure. You don’t need to stay in the hospital setting, and it usually takes less than 30 minutes to perform LASIK on both your eyes. Some irritation in your eyes after surgery is perfectly normal.
PRK:
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is also a common type of refractive surgical procedure. Just like LASIK, it is also used to improve vision. You can expect a drastic improvement in your vision after PRK, and you don’t need to wear contact lenses anymore. Unlike LASIK, this surgical procedure uses a laser to reshape your cornea. Surgeons often prefer PRK over LASIK because it is more conservative. You can have PRK for both your eyes in less than 10 minutes. However, it may take up to 12 weeks for 100% improvement in your vision. Your eye doctor may refrain you from driving for 2-3 weeks.
Cataract surgery:
Cataract eye surgery is the most common type of eye surgery in older adults. You can easily find an eye surgeon in your city who can help you with your cataract. This problem is specific to the older population. As you age, the lens of your eyes becomes blurry. Cataract significantly reduces the vision in senior adults, and it increases the risk of fall. However, it takes less than an hour to replace your blurry lens with an artificial one. It is also an outpatient procedure, and you can expect significant improvements in your vision within a couple of days after cataract eye surgery. You may initially experience discomfort in your eyes. However, after a procedure like this, it is normal, and your doctor may give you particular medication for it.
Glaucoma surgery:
Glaucoma is also a common condition in the older population. It is caused by substantial damage in your optic nerve that controls most of the functions in your eyes. In severe cases, glaucoma can cause blindness. However, glaucoma surgery is highly effective if it is performed early on. There are two types of glaucoma surgery. The first one is more conservative laser glaucoma surgery. It is also an outpatient procedure, and you can return to your routine life after 24 hours. The second option is more conventional glaucoma surgery. It is performed in advanced cases or when the laser option is not effective. It takes about a week to return to your routine life after conventional glaucoma surgery.
Surgery for diabetic retinopathy:
Diabetes affects millions of people globally. If your blood sugar level is not controlled correctly, you can have many other health issues. One of them is diabetic retinopathy. In this condition, blood vessels in your eyes rupture and leak blood directly into your retina. This blood and scar tissue drastically reduce your vision, and you can see floaters (spots in front of your eyes). Just like cataract eye surgery, you will have two options for diabetic retinopathy. The first option is laser surgery that is a conservative and outpatient procedure. You may need more than one laser surgery over time. The second option is called a vitrectomy, and the eye surgeon removes damaged blood vessels from your eyes. It has a better long-term prognosis, but you will need to stay in hospital for a few days.
Conclusion:
Many conditions can affect your eyes while you age. However, some conditions are common even in the younger population. Eye surgeries are often reserved for advanced cases. Surgeons usually prefer laser because it is a more conservative approach. Cataract eye surgery and diabetic retinopathy surgery are most common in older adults.
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