Have you ever felt frustrated while enjoying a day at the beach or pool, having to enter with glasses or dealing with the discomfort of not being able to see clearly without them? It's time to leave those limitations behind and enjoy clear vision free from visual corrections. Refractive surgery through laser or phakic lens implantation are safe and effective alternatives to improve your vision and forget about glasses or contact lenses forever. In this post, we will debunk myths and beliefs about refractive surgery and show you the benefits this option offers to improve your quality of life.
Refractive surgery is an ophthalmological procedure that aims to correct refractive errors of the eye, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. These refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. There are two main techniques for refractive surgery: Excimer laser and phakic lens implantation. Both options eliminate refractive errors but are very different.
Laser surgery involves reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors, while in phakic lens implantation, a lens is introduced between the lens and the iris with the exact graduation to completely eliminate the visual defect. In other words, in the former, there is a loss of tissue in the form of reshaping, while in the latter, no tissue is touched; the lens is simply implanted and, if it had to be removed, it would remain completely intact.
• Myth: Refractive surgery is painful and risky
Reality: Refractive surgery is a safe and virtually painless procedure. It is performed under local anesthesia, and patients may experience at most slight discomfort or pressure during the process. Associated risks are very low, and the vast majority of people experience a quick and uncomplicated recovery.
• Myth: Refractive surgery is only for extreme cases of myopia or astigmatism.
Reality: Refractive surgery is suitable for a wide range of refractive errors, from mild to severe cases. Each patient is individually evaluated by the ophthalmologist to determine whether they are a good candidate for one type of procedure or another. This will basically depend on the anatomical characteristics of the patient's eye.
• Myth:Refractive surgery results are not long-lasting.
Reality: Refractive surgery results are permanent. However, it is important to note that the eye continues to age, just like the rest of the body, and that at a certain age, other conditions such as presbyopia or cataracts appear, regardless of whether the patient has undergone refractive surgery or not.
• Myth:Refractive surgery is expensive and unaffordable.
Reality: Although refractive surgery can have a high initial cost, in many cases, this expense is balanced with the constant expense of having to renew glasses or contact lenses. In addition, many patients consider this investment worthwhile due to the significant improvement in their quality of life. On the other hand, at Castanera Clinic, we offer our patients financing options and payment plans that make the procedure more accessible.
Before undergoing surgery, the ophthalmologist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your eyes to determine if you are a good candidate and to recommend the most suitable type of refractive surgery for your needs. During this evaluation, comprehensive tests will be conducted to measure eye graduation, corneal thickness, and other relevant factors.
The vast majority of patients are suitable for one type of surgery or another. Although it is true that in certain cases the physical characteristics of some patients make it unsafe to undergo these types of interventions. Although, as we say, very few candidates are left out.
In summary, if you are tired of depending on glasses or contact lenses at the beach or during water activities, refractive surgery may be the solution you've been looking for. We hope this article has served to explain the procedure correctly, as well as to debunk myths and misconceptions.
With refractive surgery, you can enjoy clear, uncorrected vision, enabling you to make the most of each moment all year round.
At Castanera Clinic, we have a team of highly trained professionals and the latest technology in refractive surgery to provide you with the best possible care. If you are interested in learning more about this option and if you are a candidate, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with us. Our goal is to help you enjoy clear and worry-free vision, so you can live each day to the fullest. We look forward to welcoming you in Barcelona with open arms and the best care for your eyes!
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