Freedom from glasses
DR. AMAR AGARWAL
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Laser treatment helps people get rid of spectacles.
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PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK
Clear SIGHT: Technology helps.
ERRORS occurring due to the improper focusing by the lens or improper curvature of the cornea resulting in image formation before and beyond the retina are known as refractive errors.
There are four basic types of refraction: Myopia or short sightedness; Hypermetropia or long sightedness; Astigmatism or distorted image formation on the retina; Prebyopia or the inability of the eye to change the focus from near and distant vision.
New technologies
The traditional solution to treat refractive error problems is to use a spectacle. Depending on the problem, the patient is prescribed monofocal, bifocal or progressive lenses. With the advent of technology, laser treatment is available to help people get rid of spectacles permanently.
Zyoptix 100 and Conductive Keratoplasty (also known as CK) are two treatment procedures for the correction of refractive error problems. The choice of the laser treatment depends on the patient and from case to case.
For instance, Zyoptix 100 is ideal for the myopic patient between 18 and 40 years whereas CK is done for Hypermetropic patients in the 40-60 age group.
Zyotpix 100 is a treatment that uses LASIK in a customised format. Each eye of the patient is treated depending upon the factors of that eye.
The first examination is Corneal Topography or image mapping of the cornea (the outer part of the eye) using the orbscan, which not only measures the thickness but also gives a complete 3D view of the cornea including views of the anterior and posterior surface, shape and curvature. The cornea is studied, mapped and recorded completely and thus the surgeon gets a blueprint of the eye. Interestingly, as many as 9000 points have been mapped on the corneal surface.
Individualised treatment
The second diagnostic procedure that makes Zyoptix unique is Aberrometry, an advanced Wavefront Technology.
This is based on the theory that all points of light entering the eye are deflected from their paths causing light to scatter. This decreases the quality of vision.
In Aberromety, these points of scatter are mapped so that the surgeon is able to view and treat them.
The treatment is planned to exactly match the individual vision errors. The whole procedure is an outpatient procedure and takes only about 10 minutes.
A permanent solution for getting rid of spectacles is through Conductive Keratoplasty. The treatment procedure is very simple. First, methylene blue is used to mark the periphery of the cornea. Then, with the help of the CK probe or keratoplast tip, radio frequency waves are passed.
This shrinks the glue-like connective tissue or collagen in the cornea shrinks, giving long-sighted and presbyopic patients clear vision. After the treatment, the patient's ability to see near and distant images will improve.
Laser technique used for correction of refractive error has always given desired results. Apprehension exists because of the fear of unknown. Once we know the basic facts it becomes easy to say yes to technology.
The writer is the joint managing director of Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai.
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