What we treat

INDICATIONS:

• myopia from -0.5 Dsph to –10.0 Dsph,
• hyperopia from +0.75 Dsph to +6.0 Dsph,
• astigmatism up to 6.0 Dcyl.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• unstable refractive error (it should not change during one year),
• age under 21,
• diabetes,
• glaucoma, cataract,
• pregnancy, breastfeeding,
• keratoconus, corneal scars, excessively thin cornea,
• retinal detachment,
• eye inflammation,
• cardiac pacemaker,
• herpes.

Thanks to complex qualification tests, our doctor may suggest an optimal method of correction. The duration of such a visit is approximately 2 hours. Due to the necessity of application of dilating eye drops, driving a car after the visit is not recommended.

Before the test it is necessary to resign from contact lenses:

• soft lenses – 2 weeks before,
• toric lenses – 3 weeks before,
• hard lenses – 4 weeks before.

Before the refractive surgery, a number of diagnostic tests are performed:

• assessment of the anterior and posterior eye segment with the use of a slit lamp,
• visual acuity with the best correction possible,
• measurement of the intraocular pressure (tonometry),
• auto-kerato-refractometer (computer eye examination),
• pachymetry (measurement of corneal thickness),
• corneal topography (map of the cornea),
• biometry (measurement of the length of the eye),
• keratoconus screening,
• measurement of pupillary diameter under various light conditions.

Moreover, we use a Sirius diagnostic station, which works together with the Amaris 750S laser. Thanks to that, test results are automatically transferred to the laser memory to allow high-precision correction of vision.

1. Arrival for the procedure at an arranged date.
2. Preparation for the procedure (the patient puts on a disposable gown, and a nurse cleans the eye area with a disinfectant and applies drops to the eyes).
3. Reapplication of eye drops in the operating room.
4. Preparation of the surgical field by the surgeon (applying an ophthalmological drape with a fenestration for the eye and a speculum that prevents blinking).
5. Positioning of the laser arm over the patient eye and starting the surgery (7-20 minutes for both eyes).
6. Referring the patient to the resting room, where he/she should stay for up to 30 minutes.
7. Eye control using a slit lamp, giving instructions to the patient and discharging home.

• come in for appointed follow-up visits,
• protect your eyes against solar radiation (glasses with a filter),
• protect your eyes against various cosmetic preparations, e.g. soap, wash gel, etc. and against water itself (for a few days after the procedure),
• avoid dust- and smoke-filled rooms,
• avoid excessive physical exercise (for about a month),
• dietary restrictions (alcohol is forbidden).

To perform the procedure, we use a technologically advances Amaris 750S laser from a German company called Schwind. It allows for TRANS PRK correction without prior removal of corneal epithelium, so the whole procedure is performed as “non touch”, only with the use of the laser. Additionally, it enables correction of 1 dioptre during one and a half second, and it has a unique system of eye tracking in 6 dimensions, which translates into high precision of action.

1. PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy)

This procedure involves removal of the superficial cornea, without affecting its biomechanics, and performance of precise photoablation (excimer laser). This technique does not create a corneal flap, thus reducing related complications. After the procedure, a treatment contact lens is applied to allow healing of the corneal epithelium. Visual acuity improves gradually after PRK, and the perfect vision is usually reached after about 3-6 weeks. This method increases a risk of late complications (corneal ectasia).

For whom?
Patients with myopia up to -10.0 Dpt and hyperopia up to +4.0 Dpt, and with astigmatism.

Advantages of the procedure:

• quick,
• safe.

2. TransPRK (Trans-epithelial photorefractive keratectomy)

This method involves removal of corneal epithelium with the use of an excimer laser and unique ablation algorithms that take into account the fact that the thickness of the cornea increases toward its periphery. The procedure is performed using the “non touch” method (without the need to touch the eye, which results in higher patient safety and faster healing of wounds).

For whom?
The procedure may be performed in patients with low to moderate myopia.

Advantages of the procedure:

• non touch,
• quite quick,
• safe.

3. LASEK (laser subephithelial keratomileusis)

This is an effective and safe method of correcting all types of refractive errors, involving the application of an alcohol solution onto the cornea. This allows the outer layer of corneal epithelium to be folded back in the form of an extremely thin flap of 60-90 µm thick.

For whom?
Patients with myopia up to -8.0 Dpt and hyperopia up to +6.0 Dpt with or without astigmatism.

Advantages of the procedure:

• quick and safe,
• slightly longer healing process.

4. PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY (PTK)

This is a method of photoablation with the use of an excimer laser used to treat corneal lesions.

For whom?
Indications include recurrent erosions, corneal scars, dystrophy and degeneration, superficial and deep inflammation after removal of pterygium, conditions after removal of a foreign body, and shaping of the corneal surface after previous refractory treatment.

Advantages of the procedure:

• Enables “smoothing of the eye surface”,
• Enables scar removal.

5. EBK

EBK procedure is an offer for patients seeking the safest and at the same time the most natural method of refractive laser surgery. This method gives great results and is the only procedure that ensures precise removal of the entire epithelium without damaging the layers underneath it.

For whom?
Patients with myopia up to -8.0 Dpt and hyperopia up to +6.0 Dpt with or without astigmatism.

Advantages of the procedure:

• safe for the eye – leaves the Bowman’s layer untouched,
• short time of epikeratome operation – completely removes the epithelium within 8 seconds,
• precise operation leaves a smooth tissue without cell residues,
• acceleration of healing – minimal epikeratome interference allows quick and complete recovery of the tissue, without leaving scars,
• patient comfort – short and painless convalescence,
• natural for the body – completely healed, elastic, and properly innervated eye epithelium.

6. FEMTOLASIK

This is one of so-called deep methods and it involves two stages: the activity of a femtosecond laser which prepares the corneal flap for folding back, and the proper procedure, i.e. correction of a vision defect with an excimer laser.

For whom?
For subjects with defects ranging from -10.0 D to +4.0 D and astigmatism up to 6.0 D.

Advantages of the procedure:

• shorter period of convalescence,
• faster recovery of full visual acuity,
• virtually no complaints of pain.

7. PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY (PTK)

This procedure enables laser treatment of certain superficial corneal diseases (scars resulting from injuries, past inflammatory processes or after removal of foreign bodies, dystrophies, or erosions). The surgery takes a few minutes and is completely painless.