Types Of Eye Surgery

All types of surgery can make you apprehensive. But for many people, eye surgery is downright frightening. 

Fortunately, through the years, all types of eye surgery has become safer and outcomes have improved. In addition, many types of eye surgery can now save a persons vision. In years past, a person with the same eye disease or eye problem might be on the road to permanent blindness.

Nonetheless, the eye is very delicate, and it requires extreme care and capability on the part of the eye surgeon or ophthalmologist. An opthalmologist can perform many types of eye surgery procedures, but sometimes it takes one with special training to do more complex one.

Remember, an opthalmologist has a medical degree and is a doctor. Optometrists and opticians are not. 

Anesthesia is a "must" for all types of eye surgery. The type of anesthesia used will depend on the procedure. Sometimes local anesthesia is enough, but other times general anesthesia is more appropriate (especially with children). The anesthesia can not only be used to prevent pain, but in certain types of eye surgery it can also serve to immobilize muscles in the area.

Here are the most common types of eye surgery.

Refractive surgery Refractive surgery involves reshaping the cornea. The goal is to improve the way the eye bends or "refracts" light. When successful, it decreases or eliminates the need for glasses or contacts. Refractive eye surgery can reduce or cure conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (vision that is blurred).

An average of 900,000 refractive eye surgeries have been done annually in the United States in recent years.

LASIK eye surgery is a refractive surgery procedure which is now performed more than any other type. The surgeon cuts a flap in the top layer of the eye. The flap is then folded back. A device called an excimer laser is then focused on the eye. The ophthalmologist uses the laser to remove precise amounts of tissue from the eye's surface. When the eye has been reshaped to the desired dimensions, the flap is folded back and the eye heals. See our article on common questions about Lasik eye surgery.

Cataract eye surgery Most people don't think about cataract surgery until they get past 50, but it's actually the most common surgery performed in the United States. Cataracts form when protein, which makes up the lens of the eye, clumps together. This clouding process spreads over the lens and eventually makes it difficult to see.

Cataract surgery is simple and painless. The ophthalmologist makes a tiny incision, then uses an special instrument to gently remove the cloudy lens. The lens is then replaced with a clear artificial version. Cataract eye surgery is safe and substantially improves vision for more than 90 percent of patients.

Corneal transplant A corneal transplant requires healthy tissue from a deceased donor. It is appropriate for serious eye injuries and certain kinds of eye diseases. It can restore vision, reduce eye pain and improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea. A corneal transplant is also called corneal grafting or penetrating keratoplasty

Surgery for glaucoma Surgery can reduce the intraocular pressure caused by this serious eye problem. It can be done with a laser or through incisions. Surgery cannot reverse vision loss. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of partial and complete blindness in all patients with eye problems.

Intacs for keratoconus Intacs corneal implants are tiny inserts that can flatten a bulging eye. They are approved by the FDA for individuals with keratoconus who is in-between contact lenses and a corneal transplant. Intacs can be used to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism.

Strabismus surgery Strabismus is the medical name for the disorder commonly known as crossed eyes. The goal of strabismus surgery is to adjust eye muscles in straighten the misalignment. The ophthalmologist makes an incision in the conjunctiva, which is the outer covering of the eye. He or she isolates one or more of the muscles that control eye movement. The eye is gently realigned. The procedure usually only takes about 20-40 minutes under general anesthesia.

Vitrectomy and vitreoretinal procedures These are delicate procedures used for macular holes, retinal detachments and other conditions. This type of eye surgery is performed deep inside the eye. It involves removing the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye.