Frequently Asked Questions about REFRACTIVE SURGERY

People who suffer from myopia are characterised by alterations in the different structures of the eye such as its corneal curvature, the optical power of its lens (excessive power) or the size of its eyeball (excessive length).

The main symptom of the patient with myopia is that they have poor distance vision and yet optimal near vision. Other symptoms you may suffer from are eye strain, headache, difficulty concentrating, permanent dry/itchy eyes, etc.

4) How can myopia be corrected?

Currently, at Oftalmedic Salvà we have two types of techniques as an alternative to glasses or contact lenses: excimer laser surgery and intraocular lens implantation, also known as ICL lenses.

In a first preoperative consultation, the ophthalmologist will study your case in a personalized way to determine the most appropriate laser procedure or technique for your situation and needs.

5) Is myopia inherited?

Myopia has an important hereditary component, although it can appear in people with no family history.

6) What is the cause of hyperopia?

People who suffer from hyperopia are characterised by alterations in the different structures of the eye such as its corneal curvature, the optical power of its lens (low power) or the size of its eyeball (shorter than normal length).

7) What are the symptoms of farsightedness?

The main symptom of farsightedness is poor near vision. If the hyperopia is low, the patient will see well at a distance, although their effort to focus or accommodate will be greater. This can lead to other symptoms such as headache and eye strain.

8) When can hyperopia appear?

Farsightedness affects most newborns, as their eyes are not fully developed yet. During adolescence, young people with hyperopia and low prescription do not usually manifest problems with visual acuity since they compensate for it through the effort of accommodation. In adults over 40 years of age, farsightedness can be confused with presbyopia or eyestrain.

9) How can hyperopia be corrected?

In the case of newborns, this visual abnormality tends to correct itself naturally, as the child grows.

In the case of adults who want to do without their glasses or contact lenses, we have two types of techniques to correct their hyperopia: excimer laser surgery and intraocular lens implantation, also known as ICL lenses.

10) In addition to hyperopia, can I suffer from another refractive problem?

Yes. It is possible that hyperopia is associated with other visual abnormalities such as astigmatism and/or presbyopia. On the other hand, it is not possible for a person to suffer from both farsightedness and myopia.

11) What is the cause of astigmatism?

People who suffer from astigmatism are characterized by alterations in their corneal curvature, that is, their cornea has an irregular curvature, instead of being symmetrical.

12) What are the symptoms of astigmatism?

The symptoms that the patient may perceive are different depending on their age, type of astigmatism or prescription. The main symptom of astigmatism is blurred and distorted vision of near and distant objects, as well as difficulty perceiving small details at all distances.

13) How do I know I have astigmatism?

In mild cases, no signs of astigmatism may be detected. If we are talking about children, it is advisable to pay special attention to their visual quality through a complete ophthalmological check-up from the age of 3-4, since uncorrected astigmatism could cause a lazy eye problem.

14) In addition to astigmatism, can I suffer from another refractive problem?

Yes, since astigmatism does not always occur in isolation. It is quite common for it to be associated with myopia or hyperopia.

15) How to prevent astigmatism?

Astigmatism is the third most common visual problem among Spaniards (behind myopia and eyestrain). Despite its high incidence in the population, it is not possible to prevent its appearance. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out regular ophthalmological check-ups to detect or rule it out in time.

The patient’s age, the morphological characteristics of their cornea or the current prescription are some of the factors that we analyse to determine if they are a candidate for refractive laser surgery.

The fact of not having stabilized your prescription for at least one year, the morphology of your cornea or certain retinal pathologies are cases that advise against laser refractive surgery. In your personalized preoperative study they will guide you on the most appropriate alternative to this procedure in your case.

Keep in mind that, from the age of 40, the first symptoms of presbyopia begin to appear. Therefore, in the event that you want to solve it in the same procedure at the same time as another refractive error, the option of implanting an intraocular lens that corrects near and distance vision will be studied.

4) What does the intervention consist of?

Through an extremely precise laser, the cornea is molded in order to eliminate the defect that causes the ametropia, safely. We have a premium option thanks to femtosecond laser technology that allows this procedure to be performed 100% laser, without scalpel or punctures.

5) If I have very high myopia, can I have laser surgery?

In order to avoid excessive molding of the cornea, which would be necessary for the high prescription of myopia, the implantation of intraocular lenses will be considered as a solution. This technique is not a substitute for laser treatment, but it offers a possibility when the patient is not suitable for laser.

6) How long does the intervention take?

The procedure takes only a few minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, so that the patient can return home on their own foot on the same day.

7) Is the procedure painful?

No, since topical anesthesia (in the form of drops) is applied beforehand and, therefore, the patient does not feel any pain.

8) After treatment, when will I be able to see well?

In 24-48 hours, the patient usually experiences a recovery of their visual quality practically immediately.

9) What is the postoperative recovery like?

To return to work, it is advisable to wait a week, although, if necessary, it is possible to do so in a couple of days. On the other hand, if you practice a contact sport, it is best to wait about a month. As for daily activities, they can be resumed immediately after the intervention, although it will depend on the patient’s comfort.

10) Is it possible that my refractive error will increase after the intervention?

If the prescription was already stable at the time of the intervention, it does not have to continue to increase, at least in the first 10 years (parallel defects such as tired eyes can develop). However, if the refractive error had continued to evolve at the time of the procedure, it is likely that it would continue to progress. For this reason, we recommend that the patient wait until their refractive problem has stabilized before being operated on.

These lenses, also known as phakic lenses, are used to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, as well as several abnormalities in the same procedure. They are characterized by their high compatibility with the natural tissues of the eye and adaptability, due to the material with which they are manufactured (the collamer, which is flexible and soft). They are customized for each eye and each person and offer a wide range of prescriptions.

These are lenses that are placed inside the eye, above the crystalline lens, whose operation is similar to a contact lens.

ICL lenses have established themselves as a recommended option for patients who have not yet developed eyestrain (especially young people between 20 and 40 years old) or in those who, due to the characteristics of their eye, have a high prescription or corneal thickness that is inadequate for this type of intervention.

4) What advantages do they offer?

The ICL lens implant is an outpatient, short-term, painless surgery that offers a rapid recovery of visual quality to the patient. In addition, the procedure is reversible, as it does not alter any structure of the eye.

5) How is this technique different from the excimer laser?

To implant ICL lenses, it is not necessary to shape the cornea or remove the crystalline lens, but simply place the lenses on top of it. Thus, it is possible to correct all prescription defects and at the same time preserve these two structures (lens and cornea) for the future.