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 May 1st holiday
Many people will plan to travel abroad during the consecutive holidays. If they want to have “myopia laser surgery” before the Spring Festival, February 28th and Tomb Sweeping Day holidays so that they can have clear vision when traveling, how long before do they need to seek medical evaluation? Dr. Chen Jiayu of Weishi Ophthalmology Taipei Tung Hsing Hospital pointed out in an interview that it is recommended to reserve at least 3 months before traveling to thoroughly discuss the treatment course with the doctor, and to observe the recovery of vision during this period.
Is it too late to have “myopia laser surgery” before going abroad? Medical: You must prepare for at least 3 months in advance
Dr. Chen Jiayu explained that in countries where Taiwanese people often travel in winter, such as skiing in Japan and South Korea, or engaging in water sports in tropical countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, it is easy for vision to be potentially damaged due to excessive ultraviolet rays. Exposure to ultraviolet rays may affect the speed of postoperative recovery. Therefore, the commonly circulated saying that “you can go abroad immediately after myopia laser surgery” is not a correct concept.
There are also many office workers who hope to return to work the day after myopia laser surgery. Dr. Chen Jiayu emphasized that everyone’s postoperative recovery time is different. It is recommended to observe for at least about 1-3 months to see whether the vision returns to the expected pre-operative state. “In other words, if you have plans to travel during the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday or Labor Day, or if you want to return to work as soon as possible, it is recommended that you discuss the relevant treatment courses with your doctor now!”
In addition, if you have special needs, such as traveling abroad, engaging in extreme sports (such as surfing, skiing, skateboarding) or intense running sports (such as basketball, volleyball), etc., it is also recommended to discuss the appropriate course of treatment with your doctor as soon as possible to avoid post-operative visual recovery. Not good.
Can myopia surgery solve presbyopia by the way? What misconceptions do patients tend to have?
In addition to misestimating the length of postoperative recovery, many people have misconceptions about myopia laser. For example, they believe that surgery can solve the problem of “presbyopia” at the same time. Dr. Chen Jiayu said that vision may appear presbyopia after the age of 40, which is a condition where distance vision is relatively clear and near vision is blurry. “Even if we help you get rid of the prescription, presbyopia will not disappear! It is recommended that people with such needs discuss the reserved prescription with the doctor before surgery, and have the opportunity to see far and near in one go. There is no need to look at mobile phones or read books. Wear reading glasses again.”
As for patients with “high myopia”, Dr. Chen Jiayu pointed out that the retinas of this group are thin and are prone to serious complications such as retinal breaks and even retinal detachment. Many people with high myopia think that after myopia surgery, the thin retina will be solved. In fact, the surgery does not involve changes in the retina. Therefore, patients still need to follow up regularly after surgery and actively perform dilated retinal examinations to avoid Further damage to the retina occurs.
Superficial surgery is simple, fast and relatively safe! Medical reveals the potential advantages of “SMART transPRK”
SMART transPRK’s full name is “Fully Intelligent Zero-Contact Surface Grinding Layered Orthokeratology”. It is a surgical method that directly uses laser on the corneal surface to correct it. It does not involve the steps of cutting or making a corneal flap.
Dr. Chen Jiayu pointed out that the advantage of this surgery is that it is simple, fast and relatively safe, which reduces the possibility of manual knife accidents or unsatisfactory situations during the surgery. However, the SMART transPRK surgical procedure will directly act on the corneal epithelium, and it will take a certain period of time for the epithelium to recover, which means that the patient needs an appropriate rest period to help the vision return to the expected pre-operative state.
People who commonly choose SMART transPRK surgery include professional athletes, sports enthusiasts, military personnel such as special forces, parachutists, and pilots. These professions often require high physical activity and safety standards. For office workers who find it difficult to take leave or need to return to work quickly after surgery, they can return to normal life after about 1 week of rest. With regular follow-up after surgery, vision is generally stable for about 1-3 months.
The operation can be completed in just tens of seconds? The difference between “SMART transPRK” and “traditional PRK”
Dr. Chen Jiayu further explained that myopia laser surgery has developed rapidly in recent years. Compared with traditional PRK surgery, SMART transPRK does not require the use of alcohol to remove the corneal epithelium. Instead, it directly uses laser to accurately act on the cornea, which not only shortens the operation time, but also reduces the patient’s discomfort. It also greatly reduces and improves the overall safety of the surgery.
“The significant reduction in operation time is a highlight. The actual operation may only take tens of seconds to minutes to complete.” Dr. Chen Jiayu emphasized that although the operation itself is extremely fast, preparatory work is still essential, including Disinfection, fixing the patient’s head position, etc. are all to ensure the smooth progress of the operation and patient safety.
Don’t just avoid bright sunlight! “5 things” you must do after myopia laser surgery
Dr. Chen Jiayu said that after myopia laser surgery, you should continue to follow the doctor’s instructions and pay attention to the following five key points to help patients recover after surgery:
Maintain a normal routine: Physical recovery after surgery requires adequate rest and a good routine. Maintaining a normal routine can help speed up the repair of corneal wounds and maintain overall health.
Avoid strong light exposure: Ultraviolet rays and strong light may affect the recovery of wounds and even cause eye sequelae. After surgery, you should try to avoid prolonged exposure to strong sunlight and wear UV-blocking sunglasses or goggles.
Avoid certain environments: Certain working environments, such as electric welding or places where strong light sources are used, may have adverse effects on recovering eyes. If it cannot be avoided, appropriate protective measures should be taken.
Use artificial tears: Common symptoms after myopia laser surgery include dry eyes and inflammatory reactions. Physicians often prescribe anti-inflammatory drops and artificial tears to help control inflammation and keep the eyes moist, promoting epithelial recovery. In special cases, growth factors from the patient’s own serum may also be used to promote eye recovery.
Regular follow-up examinations: Even if you feel well after surgery, it is still important to return for regular follow-up visits. Professional follow-up examinations can detect and deal with possible problems early and ensure good recovery of vision after surgery.
In general, Dr. Chen Jiayu reminds the public that maintenance after myopia laser surgery not only involves small details in daily life, but also includes following the doctor’s professional advice and regular eye examinations. Regardless of the type of myopia laser surgery, it is recommended to allow a recovery period of 1-3 months to ensure that eye damage is minimized.
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