Refractive surgery in Turkey | Cost-effective, High-quality techniques 2024

What is refractive surgery?

Refractive surgery is a set of ocular techniques, mainly using lasers, that allow patients to become independent of glasses or contact lenses. This innovative solution is designed to effectively correct vision defects and restore full visual autonomy.

It directly addresses refractive anomalies, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.

Recent advances in laser technology have revolutionized refractive surgery, making it an effective and affordable option for vision correction. Techniques such as LASIK surgery, PRK and ReLEx SMILE provide patients with precise, long-lasting results that restore optimal vision.

When is refractive surgery a good option?

Refractive surgery may not be right for everyone because of the specific eligibility criteria. However, it can be a transformative solution for those who qualify that dramatically improves vision.

The patient's age is the first consideration. They must be at least 18 years old and have had stable vision for at least one year.

A thorough preoperative evaluation, including corneal testing (corneal pachymetry, topography) and a detailed medical interview, allows us to assess suitability and identify any contraindications.

This evaluation allows us to assess the following:

• General ocular health: the presence of ocular pathologies.
• Corneal condition: thickness, curvature, etc.
• Stability of visual correction: development of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

Refractive surgery is an option to be discussed with your ophthalmologist in Turkey after a thorough examination. He or she will inform you about the benefits, risks, and possible alternatives.

What are the contraindications?

Refractive surgery may be temporarily or permanently contraindicated in the presence of certain eye conditions. Among the factors that may prevent this procedure are:

• Corneal pathologies associated with autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease...) or deformities such as keratoconus.
• Ocular surface diseases such as severe dry eye.
• Ocular diseases such as cataracts and advanced, uncontrolled glaucoma.
• Uncontrolled systemic diseases such as diabetes.
• Factors related to pregnancy and refractive stability.
• Unrealistic expectations of surgical results.

Common refractive surgery techniques

Refractive surgery offers an effective solution for correcting various vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The techniques used fall into three broad categories:

Surface techniques

These procedures work directly on the cornea, the transparent part of the eye. They are generally preferred for their speed and effectiveness, thanks to the use of precision lasers. The most common procedures include:

• LASIK: The most widely used technique, it involves the creation of a corneal flap and then reshaping the underlying tissue using an excimer laser.
• PRK (photorefractive keratectomy): This technique removes the surface layer of the cornea before laser treatment.
• LASEK: An intermediate procedure between LASIK and PRK that combines the advantages of both.
• Smile: A newer technique that uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap of corneal tissue.

Intraocular techniques

These techniques involve implanting a lens inside the eye. They are often used to correct major refractive errors or when surface techniques are unsuitable. The main techniques are

• RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange): The natural crystalline lens is replaced with an intraocular lens.
• Corneal inlay implantation: A thin implant is placed in the cornea to change the refractive power of the eye.

Less common techniques

Although widely used in the past, some techniques have been abandoned today due to less predictable results or potential complications, including:

• Radial keratotomy: An old surgical technique in which radial incisions are made in the cornea.
• Intrastromal corneal ring: A ring-shaped implant inserted into the cornea to modify its curvature.

The choice of technique depends on several factors, such as the type and degree of the visual defect, the patient's age, the shape of the cornea and the patient's expectations. It is essential to consult an ophthalmologist who specializes in refractive surgery to determine the most appropriate technique for each case.

The refractive surgery process

Before surgery, it is recommended that you stop wearing contact lenses for a period of time determined by your surgeon, usually 48 hours, to allow the cornea to return to its natural state.

On the day of surgery, both eyes are usually operated on at the same time (bilateral surgery). You will be given a local anesthetic, which may be supplemented with light sedation for your comfort.

During surgery, a medical device holds your eyelids open so that you can focus on one point throughout the procedure. Guided by a computer, the surgeon will correct your vision in just a few minutes, often between 10 and 15 minutes per eye.

At the end of the procedure, a protective lens is placed over your eye to help promote quick and comfortable healing.

Risks and potential side effects

Refractive surgery is an increasingly common procedure that offers many people the opportunity to become free of glasses or contact lenses. Although it is very safe, like all surgical procedures, it does carry some risks and potential side effects.

Possible side effects, although rare, include:

Immediate and temporary

Side effects associated with refractive surgery are usually immediate and temporary. They include:

• Dry eyes: Feeling of grittiness, and discomfort, often relieved by artificial tears.
• Hypersensitivity to light: Glare, discomfort in bright environments.
• Temporary blurred vision: usually stabilizes within a few days.
• Tearing and visual discomfort within eight hours of surgery.

Long-term effects

In the long term, the patient may experience:

• Halos and night glare: Perception of light circles around light sources, more common in high myopia.
• Visual regression: in rare cases, mild myopia may reappear.

On the other hand, complications specific to Lasik include:

• Healing problems: Low risk, but may require follow-up.
• Diffuse lamellar keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea that causes a foreign body sensation.
• Epithelial invasion: Migration of cells from the surface of the cornea to an area where they shouldn't be.