My glasses always slide down when I'm exercising, and it's very inconvenient to wear them when I'm doing makeup... These troubles are deeply felt by every nearsighted person. As a result, more and more people are turning their attention to myopia surgery. But in my heart, I couldn't help but wonder: Is this technology reliable or not? Will you regret it after it's done? How are those who had surgery several years or even over a decade ago doing now? Today, let's have a good chat!
How exactly is myopia surgery performed?
Before discussing myopia surgery, let's first clarify exactly how it is performed. At present, the mainstream myopia surgeries are mainly divided into two categories: laser myopia surgeries and ICL lens implantation surgeries. In simple terms, one is to do "subtraction" on the cornea, and the other is to do "addition" inside the eye.
Laser-based myopia surgery: It can be understood as using a laser to "carve" a pair of glasses that fit you on the cornea. The surgery precisely cuts the corneal tissue and adjusts the refraction Angle of light to ensure that the light can accurately focus on the retina. Including the latest laser procedures such as femtosecond Laser 4.0 and Femtosecond Laser Pro.
ICL lens implantation: It does not involve cutting the cornea but instead implants an ultra-thin and soft artificial lens inside the eye, which is equivalent to placing a pair of "contact lenses" inside the eye. This crystal has good biocompatibility and will not reject ocular tissues. Moreover, if vision changes in the future, it can be removed or replaced. Including mainstream techniques such as EVO+ICL V5 and ICL V4c.
Is myopia surgery really mature?
Many friends are worried about whether the myopia surgery technology is really mature. In fact, it is not a new thing. As early as 1993, excimer laser technology entered China, ushering in a new era of myopia correction. After more than 30 years of development, laser surgical equipment has gradually upgraded from the initial excimer laser to semi-femtosecond and full-femtosecond. Meanwhile, ICL lens implantation has also made continuous breakthroughs in design configuration and surgical precision, such as the introduction of a central hole type and the expansion of the optical zone. Each upgrade brings surgical techniques to a new level, providing patients with better postoperative visual quality.
Data shows that the number of refractive surgeries in China has reached 1.5 million per year [1], and an increasing number of myopic patients are correcting their vision through myopia surgery. In the physical examination for conscription, the "Physical Examination Standards for Enlisted Citizens" clearly lists excimer laser surgery as an approved vision correction method. In the aviation field, which has strict vision requirements, the "Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Medical Standards for Physical Examination and Appraisal of Civil Aviation" also indicates that myopia surgery can be appraised as qualified if the conditions are met.
Looking at the global situation, NASA also approved the application of corneal refractive surgery for astronauts and space workers as early as 2008 [2]. Subsequent studies have also confirmed that after undergoing myopia surgery, astronauts' eyes are not affected, and this surgery is an alternative to frame glasses and contact lenses [3].
From domestic to international, from the general population to special occupations - the technical maturity of myopia surgery has long been verified through large-scale application and wide recognition over the years.
How are people who have had myopia surgery doing?
This question that everyone is very concerned about actually has a large amount of data to answer.
A study analyzed the follow-up conditions of 16.3 million patients who underwent surgery and found that 97% of them achieved the expected corrected uncorrected vision after the operation, providing patients with a good and comfortable uncorrected vision and visual experience in life. The overall satisfaction rate of patients after surgery was on average 95.4% (87.2% to 100%) [4] - This satisfaction rate It is considered quite high among all kinds of medical surgeries.
Let's look at another set of data. A hospital in Beijing conducted a follow-up analysis on the clinical outcomes of patients 10 years after surgery. The results showed that 98.70% of the patients achieved good and expected refractive correction [5]. That is to say, the vast majority of people still maintain satisfactory vision ten years after the operation.
Can everyone have myopia surgery?
Of course not. Myopia surgery has a clear "threshold" and is not suitable for everyone. This is also an important part of ensuring the safety of the surgery.
So, who can't do it? Common causes include but are not limited to:
Under the age of 18, the eyeball has not fully developed, and the degree of myopia is unstable.
There are eye diseases, such as keratoconus, severe dry eye syndrome, keratitis, glaucoma, cataracts, fundus lesions, etc.
The cornea is too thin and has abnormal corneal shape, failing to meet the requirements for surgical ablation (laser-based myopia surgery).
Shallow anterior chamber and abnormal corneal endothelial cells (ICL lens implantation);
Suffering from systemic diseases, such as uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, keloid-prone constitution, etc.
Pregnant and lactating women are advised to postpone their eye conditions due to hormonal changes in their bodies.
Therefore, if you are considering undergoing myopia surgery, it is recommended that you first visit a professional ophthalmic medical institution for a comprehensive preoperative examination. The doctor will plan the surgical approach and the most suitable surgical method for you based on the examination results and your eye usage needs.
