Surgery for astigmatism is one of the most effective ways to treat astigmatism, since it allows less dependence on glasses or lenses, besides the possibility of total correction of the degree that the person had, and reconstitution of normal vision. Know the symptoms of astigmatism.
Although it is possible to cure astigmatism with this type of surgery, it is necessary to make an evaluation with the ophthalmologist before the procedure because it is necessary to have some conditions before being operated, such as having a sufficiently thick cornea, having the vision stabilized for 1 year or be over 18, for example.
How is the surgery done
Astigmatism can be corrected by surgery, which is usually indicated for people over 18 years or who have the degree stabilized for about 1 year. The surgery is done under local anesthesia and usually lasts for about 20 minutes, however the duration may vary according to the type of surgery recommended by the ophthalmologist.
The types of surgery most used for astigmatism include:
- LASIK surgery: In this type of surgery a cut is made in the cornea and then laser is applied directly on the eye to change the shape of the cornea, allowing the correct formation of the image and avoiding the sensation of duplicity and little clarity. Usually the recovery is very good and the adjustment of the degree is very fast. Understand how LASIK surgery is done.
- PRK Surgery: In this type of surgery, the epithelium of the cornea (the most superficial part of the cornea) is removed with a blade and laser applied over the eye. A contact lens is then applied to prevent postoperative pain. The postoperative of this surgery is more time consuming and the patient can feel pain, but it is a safer technique in the long term. Learn more about PRK surgery.
The price of surgery for astigmatism can vary according to the type of surgery and location in which the procedure will be performed, ranging from $ 2000 to $ 6000.00 per eye. Surgery, however, may be cheaper if it is included in the health plan and even made available by SUS if the degree is very high.
Surgery Risks
Although not very frequent, surgery for astigmatism presents some risks, such as:
- No complete correction of the problem, requiring the person to continue wearing glasses or contact lenses;
- Dry eye sensation due to decreased lubrication of the eye, which can cause redness and discomfort;
- Infection in the eye, which is more related to lack of care after surgery;
- The laser is not used correctly, and astigmatism can return.
In severe cases, blindness may still occur due to corneal infections, however, this is a very rare complication and can be avoided with the use of eye drops in the postoperative period. However, the ophthalmologist can not guarantee that there is no risk of infection. Know the types of eye drops and what they are for.
