If you are reading this, it is very likely that you have been rejected for Lasik surgery due to thin corneas. Lasik is the most common procedure for vision correction, but people with thin corneas may not be able to go for it because in Lasik surgery, tissues need to be removed from the corneal thickness to improve your vision.
So does that mean people with thin corneas can never get rid of eyeglasses or contact lenses? Absolutely not ! There are certain alternative surgical procedures that can improve your vision.
In this blog, you will not only get to know about the specs removal surgery options for thin corneas but also get insights about corneal thickness and its importance. Dive in !
The medical terminology for the condition of thin corneas is “Keratoconus”. Sounds complex but this condition is quite common that one may believe. Cornea is a clear layer that covers the front part of your eye, protecting it from germs, debris, and UV rays.
A normal cornea has a thickness of about 540 - 560 microns. However, when the corneal thickness is below 500 microns, it is termed as thin cornea.
The problem with thin corneas is that they cause poor night vision, increase one’s sensitivity to light and may eventually also lead to loss of vision. Moreover, they can also disqualify a person from being able to undergo certain kinds of eye surgeries like Lasik. The reason behind having thin corneas ranges from genetics, to aging, to even inflammation.
Most laser vision correction surgeries remove some tissue from the cornea and insert a flap. This is done to change the way the cornea bends the light, ultimately leading to correcting your vision and being able to see clearly without eyeglasses.
The kind of vision problem a person has determines how much tissue will be removed by the laser during the surgical procedure. In case of thin corneas, removing even a bit of tissue may render the cornea weak and unstable. Therefore, doctors will not risk performing the traditional Lasik surgery on such people. Listed below are the specs removal surgery options for thin cornea.
There are various laser vision correction options you may opt for if you have been rejected for Lasik. While your eligibility to these procedures depend of various factors like type of vision problem, age, eye condition etc, here are the most common procedures that are recommended by ophthalmologists to people with thin corneas:
In this procedure, the cornea is reshaped using a laser or a blade. A thin flap is then inserted on the topmost layer of the cornea. The vision improves in about 3-4 days and precautions need to be taken till 3-4 months.
This procedure combines Contoura Vision and Epi-Lasik. Epi contoura surgery is ideal for people who may not be suitable for the traditional Lasik surgery because of thin corneas. This procedure is relatively safer because it is minimally invasive and only uses a laser rather than a blade.
Photorefractive Keratectomy, abbreviated as PRK is a flapless vision correction procedure. Then the outer layer of the cornea is peeled off and is then reshaped. This procedure removes lesser tissue, thereby lowering the risk of ectasia. Patients can view clearly after 3 weeks, however, the full recovery time is around 6 months.
It stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction and is the newest advancement in the sphere of vision correction surgeries. This procedure is completely flapless and saves the most amount of tissue, making it ideal for people with thin corneas.
It stands for Implantable Collamer Lens that fixes your vision by placing an artificial lens between the natural lens and the iris. Here, the shape of the cornea is not changed at all. This surgical procedure is ideal for thin corneas but comes with a few limitations such as infections, inflammation as well as development of cataracts or glaucoma eventually.
Clear vision is a necessity for everyone! Conditions like thin corneas are inevitable but thanks to such advancements in technologies that have made surgeries possible even in such conditions.
Specs removal is more than just a fashion-related move. People who go through the hassle of wearing and maintaining specs or contact lenses can only understand it. The goal is to not get limited by visual problems but to overcome them with professional guidance.
If you are looking for specs removal surgery in Mohali, stay assured because you can choose from a range of renowned medical professionals and institutions for perfect, HD, eyeglass-free vision.
Happy Seeing!