Eye Surgeries Evolve to Further Eliminate Shortsightedness
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Near sightedness is a sure source of discomfort and stress, especially for those strongly afflicted with such. Demand for operations to cure it is growing, according to Yang Hun, director of BS Eye Center.
The most common operations are LASIK, LASEK and IntraLASIK, which require the cutting of a certain part of the cornea; and Implantable Contact Lens surgery, where a contact lens is inserted behind the iris.
In LASIK surgery, a flap is cut in the cornea and pulled back to expose the corneal bed. This exposed surface is then ablated to the desired shape with an excimer laser, following which the flap is replaced. The method requires only two to three days recovery while giving minimum discomfort to patients.
However, in the early period, there were some allegations that some patients lost contrast sensitivity and couldn't see well enough in the night. Also a thicker cornea is needed, limiting the range of recipients.
LASEK came as an alternative for patients with sensitive eyes. The surgery permanently changed the shape of the anterior central cornea using an excimer laser to ablate a small amount of tissue from the corneal stroma at the front of the eye, just under the corneal epithelium. The outer layer of the cornea is removed prior to the ablation.
The IntraLASIK is a variation of LASIK. The method is widely welcomed at the moment because the operator has more control of the whole process and the result is better since the cut is even. There is also the chance of an additional operation, if sight deteriorates further.
Also, the healing period is shorter and patients are able to return to work the next day.
However, for those whose shortsightedness is serious or those whose cornea is too thin, the Implantable Contact Lens operation is recommended. Implanting a special contact lens behind the iris has the same effect as having such surgery. All one needs are regular checkups, the doctor says.
These operations are available for nearly everyone, but people suffering from lupus, rheumatism, diabetes or optical diseases are advised to consult their doctors prior to the operation. Also pregnant women or those breastfeeding are usually advised to delay having the surgery. Patients should inform their practitioners about medicines they are taking or any allergies they suffer from. Still, the majority of people can have the surgery without problems.
``Some people say one cannot take such surgeries once they get old and presbyopia strikes him or her. However, these days there are ways to fix it, so aging isn't too much of a problem,'' Yang says.
Korea is still a bit behind in terms of developing new skills since basic research is far behind other developed countries. However, the execution and early adoption of new techniques are making the future bright for opticians here.
``I expect in the near future, we can let all people throw away their glasses as they will be able to see without them,'' he says.
Yang graduated from Yonsei University and is a member of the Korean Opthalmological Society. His clinic declined to detail the number of operations he has performed, but an industry insider who asked not to be named said his clinic has one of the highest patient turnovers.