At what age is it recommended to have laser myopia surgery? Can I have surgery if I have presbyopia or astigmatism? Doctors reveal that "this surgery" can preserve more of the corneal stroma layer

Health
At what age is it recommended to have laser myopia surgery? Can I have surgery if I have presbyopia or astigmatism? Doctors reveal that "this surgery" can preserve more of the corneal stroma layer

Is there an age limit for myopia laser surgery? Is it not recommended for teenagers to have myopia laser surgery too early? Dr. Huang Weicheng of Weishi Ophthalmology Taipei Tung Hsing Hospital said in an interview that generally speaking, the degree of myopia slows down around the age of 18; however, visual acuity values ​​may still fluctuate around the age of 18-21, so it is generally recommended to undergo surgery after the age of 20. , is a safer approach, and clinically it is not recommended to “pre-deploy” too early.

In addition, after reaching the age of 40, various eye functions begin to deteriorate with age. Myopia laser surgery may not be as fast as expected, and the postoperative wound healing speed may not be as fast as that of younger people. Dr. Huang Weicheng advises patients to fully communicate their needs with the doctor in advance, such as the type of eye use they usually use at work, their favorite leisure activities, and when they have presbyopia, they should also discuss the distance range of objects they most want to see clearly, etc.; they should also be prepared after surgery. Allow a longer recovery time and avoid returning to work or routine exercise immediately to avoid poor postoperative wound healing.

Is there any risk for people with high myopia to undergo laser myopia surgery? Exceeding “this degree” requires careful evaluation!

In addition to age risks, the degree of myopia laser surgery may also affect the results? Dr. Huang Weicheng pointed out that for patients with high myopia, the surgical procedure and postoperative care need to be handled with caution. “After myopia laser surgery, the concept of ‘replacing the eyeball’ is not the concept. People with high myopia will not completely get rid of the risk of myopia complications after surgery!”

Many patients are overly dependent on the results of surgery after surgery, thinking that they no longer need to wear glasses and neglect daily eye care, which may cause additional pressure on the eyes and neglect regular follow-up examinations. Dr. Huang Weicheng emphasized that people with an original degree of more than 500 degrees are considered highly myopic and are at high risk for retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. Regular eye health examinations are still required after surgery to prevent these diseases or treat them early. these questions.

Based on the above, if there is no high myopia problem, does it mean that myopia laser surgery can be performed immediately? Dr. Huang Weicheng clarified that in addition to considerations such as age and myopia, there are other factors that need to be evaluated, including whether there are allergies or chronic conjunctivitis caused by long-term wearing of contact lenses, or whether the eyelashes will invert and affect the health of the cornea, and the function of tears. Evaluation is also important; if you already have some degree of dry eye, you need to first evaluate the impact of surgery.

How to choose among 3 types of myopia laser surgery? Doctor: “This surgery” can preserve more of the corneal stroma layer

Why is it important to preserve the “stromal layer” of the cornea after myopic laser surgery? Dr. Huang Weicheng explained that the structure of the eyeball is not solid, but a hollow water-retaining structure. There is intraocular pressure inside, so there will always be a force to expand outward. In the cornea, the stromal layer is needed to maintain structural stability. If the stromal layer is cut too much and the structural stability cannot be maintained, serious consequences such as corneal deformation and damage and vision deterioration will occur.

Dr. Huang Weicheng pointed out that the three common myopia laser surgeries currently: SMART transPRK, LASIK and SMILE Pro all reserve corneal stromal thickness after surgery, and SMART transPRK reserves a thicker thickness; overall, the residual thickness is The corneal thickness is at least about 350㎛. The current LASIK surgery requires the creation of a corneal flap first and then uses laser light to shape the desired corneal shape. Therefore, the thickness preservation is not as good as the former.

As for the SMILE Pro surgery, since the technology requires more stromal layers to be consumed, the range of degrees suitable for the surgery is relatively limited. However, SMILE Pro uses a minimally invasive method to correct myopia. The post-operative wound recovery is the shortest among the three, and the early recovery period has the lowest impact on the original life.

Dr. Huang Weicheng emphasized that LASIK surgery has been launched for more than 20 years, and its stability and technology are relatively mature and its price is relatively low. Although the current new SMART transPRK is slightly more expensive, it has the advantages of safety and full intelligence. The patient can retain the opportunity for a second surgery after being technically evaluated by the doctor. It is recommended that the patient fully discuss the course of treatment with the doctor before surgery and choose a surgical method that suits him or her.

What should I pay attention to before myopia laser surgery? 3 major concepts that medical professionals must know

Dr. Huang Weicheng reminds the public that the following points should be clarified before undergoing myopia laser surgery. One is to avoid wrong expectations. Many people think that myopia surgery will relieve their eyes from the major and minor problems of myopia. In fact, myopia laser non-regenerative medicine is more similar to “aesthetic surgery”. It only eliminates the trouble of wearing glasses. However, the structural degeneration of high myopia still exists. ; You cannot expect that your eyes will become healthier just because you have laser surgery for myopia.

Furthermore, everyone’s eye condition is different, so you should find a professional and trustworthy institution for careful examination to fully understand the condition of your eyes, and then fully communicate with the doctor to know the effects that the surgery can achieve and its limitations. Only in this way can you have the best surgical satisfaction.

Finally, Dr. Huang Weicheng emphasized that current myopia laser surgeries are safe and effective to a certain extent. Only those with special conditions, such as high myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia or eye-related diseases, must fully discuss with their doctor in advance. Communicate, and you should actively follow the doctor’s instructions and take medication after surgery, and proactively take protective measures such as wearing goggles and avoiding bright light, which will help you recover as soon as possible and regain your good vision.


Further reading:

How to take lutein and how to choose it to be effective? Nutritionist Reveals the Complete Guide: Master the “6 Principles” Before Buying

Is it too late to have “myopia laser surgery” before going abroad? The ophthalmologist’s answer: It must be at least X months apart! If you miss it, you may have to wait until the May 1st holiday

Related Articles: