New Vision by Dr. Natalia Hernandez Tijuana

LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most commonly used laser refractive surgery to correct refractive errors of the eye (myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism).

During surgery, the cornea is molded with the laser to allow the rays of light entering the eye to properly focus on the retina and produce a clear and sharp vision.

Surgery is an outpatient procedure, lasting approximately 15 minutes and performed with topical anesthesia (drops). First, a flap is made on the cornea with either a surgical instrument called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser; the flap is then retracted and the cornea is molded with the excimer laser, then the flap is replaced.

How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK surgery?

A complete ophthalmologic examination that includes visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure measure, evaluation of the ocular surface, anterior and posterior segment of the eye should be performed. A corneal topography (map) of all layers of the cornea should also be performed to see its power, curvature and thickness and to determine whether it is feasible to perform molding with the excimer laser. Also important is the general state of health and medical history. If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, the procedure is not recommended.

LASIK surgery offers numerous advantages and can significantly improve the quality of life of patients, it is a surgery with a high safety profile and an excellent success rate since most patients get a vision of 20/20 or better .

Do not hesitate to get an appointment to see if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery and forget about wearing glasses.

Cataract is an opacity of the natural (or crystalline) lens of the eye. When the lens is opaque, blurred or cloudy vision occurs, as if seen through a dirty or fogged lens. A complete ophthalmological examination is necessary for the diagnosis of cataract, where the degree of opacity (cataract) will be evaluated, the surgery being the definitive treatment.
Among the risk factors for the development of cataract are age, diabetes mellitus, eye trauma, etc.

The definitive treatment of cataracts is surgery, cataract phacoemulsification being the procedure of choice; during surgery, the cataract is fragmented by ultrasound and the lens is replaced with an intraocular lens. It is an outpatient procedure, performed with local anesthesia. After surgery, relative rest is recommended and ophthalmic drops will be used for approximately three weeks.
Many patients report that they have clear vision the next day after surgery, but each person is different and may need up to a week or two before they see the images at their sharpest point.

The cornea is the transparent tissue that is in the front of the eye and whose function is to focus the light rays. In keratoconus, the cornea becomes thin and protrudes forward in the form of a cone, this change in the curvature of the cornea causes irregular astigmatism and therefore a blurred and distorted vision. Keratoconus usually occurs in adolescence and young adults tending to progress and stabilize around 35 years of age.

It is usually a condition that affects both eyes, the symptoms are blurred and / or distorted vision, sensitivity to light, increased refraction (myopia and astigmatism), deep and abrupt visual loss in case of hydrops (late stages of keratoconus in which the cornea swells and begins to heal).

Keratoconus is diagnosed with a complete ophthalmologic examination that includes visual acuity, refraction with retinoscopy and evaluation of the anterior segment of the eye with emphasis on the cornea. To be able to determine with certainty the keratoconus stage it is necessary to carry out a study called corneal topography, the topography is a detailed map of the cornea that gives us the values ​​of corneal thickness and power (among many other values), essential information to be able to offer a personalized treatment

How is keratoconus treated?

The treatment varies according to the degree or stage of the keratoconus. When symptoms are mild, astigmatism can be corrected through the use of glasses, the use of a rigid contact lens or scleral lens may later be necessary.

Among the surgical options for the treatment of keratoconus is corneal crosslinking, during the procedure, drops of riboflavin are applied to the cornea and ultraviolet (UV) light is applied with a special lamp, this generates chemical bonds in the cornea (cross-linking of collagen) to strengthen the cornea and prevent further slimming and bulging, or in other words stop the progression of keratoconus.

Other surgical options are the placement of intracorneal rings or segments whose function is to flatten the curvature of the cornea and thus improve vision. Ultimately, patients with very advanced keratoconus may require a cornea transplant, this involves replacing the diseased cornea with a healthy donor cornea tissue.