Experience your glasses-free life!
Many people have never really gotten used to living with glasses, and there are those who have always had problems wearing contact lenses.
Among our patients, there are many people for whom glasses and impaired vision are a serious professional limitation. And then there are those who have the desire – or the dream – to get out of bed without having to fumble around on the nightstand for their glasses… so isn’t it time to put an end to the problems and finally say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses?
Laser eye surgery for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism
Together, we will assess the condition of your vision and your refractive error and, together with you, choose the best strategy to lead you to a life without glasses. Suitable solutions for correcting all of these refractive errors can be the laser eye surgery methods PRK, SmartSurf, FEMTO-Lasik, Smile or refractive intraocular lenses.
Our laser eye surgery specialists at the Straubing Eye Center will be happy to advise you on whether laser eye surgery is an option for you and which procedure would be suitable for you.
Make an appointment to find out which solution is best for you.”
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a surgical procedure used to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
In this procedure, the outermost layer of the cornea is removed to reshape the cornea and correct the eye’s refractive power. After the procedure, patients can see better without glasses or contact lenses.
PRK: Am I a suitable candidate?
- 12 months of stable vision before the procedure.
- Healthy eyes: An absolute requirement
- Farsightedness: Up to +3 diopters.
- Nearsightedness: Up to -8 diopters.
- Astigmatism: Treatable up to +5 diopters.
PRK Procedure in 4 Steps: Your Journey to Clear Vision!
- Preparation and Anesthesia: Before the surgery, the patient receives numbing eye drops to anesthetize the eye. Then, the outermost layer of the cornea (epithelium) is carefully removed or ablated with a laser.
- Laser Correction: An excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea beneath the removed layer. The laser molds the cornea to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- Healing Process: The natural regeneration of the epithelium over the treated corneal surface begins. Bandage contact lenses may be applied to aid in healing.
- Follow-up and Recovery: Regular check-ups are performed to monitor the healing process and vision improvement. Prescription eye drops may be administered to promote healing and prevent dryness.
Benefits of PRK
- No corneal incision as with LASIK.
- Suitable for patients with thinner corneas.
- Low risk of long-term corneal damage.
- Less dry eye compared to LASIK.
- Suitable for active lifestyles, especially athletes.
PRK: Clear Vision, Reassuring Facts
- Success Rate: PRK has a high success rate in correcting vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Many patients experience a significant improvement in their vision.
- Long-Term Stability: Long-term studies show that the correction of vision problems through PRK remains stable over time and leads to lasting improvement in vision.
- Safety: PRK is a well-established and safe technique for vision correction. The risks are often considered minimal, and many patients have a positive experience with no long-term complications.
5 Reasons to Consider It:
- Comfort without glasses or contact lenses in everyday life.
- Improved quality of life through clear vision.
- Reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
- More freedom and independence in activities.
- Aesthetic benefits without constant visual aids.
Femto-LASIK
Femto-LASIK is an advanced form of refractive eye surgery that uses a femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap. This flap is lifted to allow an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.
The flap is then replaced to protect the cornea and promote healing. It is considered more precise and gentle than traditional LASIK procedures.
Femto-LASIK: Am I a Suitable Candidate?
- Nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- You are of legal age.
- Nearsightedness up to -8 diopters.
- Farsightedness up to +3 diopters.
Femto-LASIK Procedure in 4 Steps: Your Journey to Clear Vision!
- Preparation: Your facial area is disinfected. Then you receive numbing eye drops. Your eyelids are gently fixed. The entire process is completely painless and comfortable for you.
- Creating the Corneal Flap: First, a femtosecond laser creates precise, tiny air bubbles in the cornea to create an extremely thin corneal flap. This flap is then carefully folded aside.
- Laser Correction: Next, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea under this flap to correct the refraction of light. After this correction, the flap is folded back into place where it will reattach itself over the following days while the cornea heals.
- Healing Process: The cornea immediately begins to regenerate. Most patients experience a rapid improvement in their vision within the first few days after surgery.
Comprehensive Information About Femto-LASIK Eye Laser Treatment (5 Questions - 5 Answers)
- What are the advantages of Femto-LASIK? Femto-LASIK offers improved vision without glasses or contact lenses. It is precise and safe, which quickly helps many patients to see better.
- What are the risks associated with Femto-LASIK? Although rare, temporary discomfort such as dryness or slight visual disturbances can occur after Femto-LASIK.
- What other options and alternatives are there to Femto-LASIK? There are alternative procedures such as PRK or lens exchange.
- What are the prerequisites for Femto-LASIK? Stable vision, sufficient corneal thickness, and healthy eyes are basic requirements. We offer you the opportunity for a comprehensive consultation to clarify your suitability.
- How does Femto-LASIK work? During surgery, a high-precision laser is used to create an ultra-thin corneal flap. This flap is carefully folded aside. Then another laser reshapes the cornea underneath so that the focal point of the light falls optimally on the retina. After this correction, the flap is gently folded back into place. The cornea then begins to heal within a few days.
Eye Laser Surgery: Clear Vision, Reassuring Facts
- High Success Rate: Over 98% of patients who undergo Femto-LASIK surgery achieve uncorrected visual acuity sufficient for most activities without vision aids.
- Rapid Recovery: Most patients experience improved vision within the first few days after surgery. Up to 90% of patients achieve their final visual acuity within three months.
- Safety and Precision: Modern Femto-LASIK procedures have a low complication rate of less than 1%.
- Long-standing Application: LASIK surgery has been performed worldwide since the 1990s.
5 Reasons to Consider It:
- Comfort without glasses or contact lenses in everyday life.
- Improved quality of life through clear vision.
- Reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
- More freedom and independence in activities.
- Aesthetic benefits without constant visual aids.
ICL-Implantation
ICL implantation is a procedure in which a phakic intraocular lens (IOL) is permanently placed in the eye to correct vision problems such as severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Unlike refractive lens exchange surgery, the natural lens of the eye is not removed.
Instead, the phakic lens is placed inside the eye in addition to the natural lens to change the eye’s refractive power and improve visual acuity. The ICL is not visible or noticeable and remains permanently in the eye.
ICL Implantation: Am I a Suitable Candidate?
- Healthy eyes: free from cataracts or retinal problems
- Adult age.
- ICL implantation possible with:
- Thin cornea
- Chronic dry eye or contact lens intolerance
- Desire for reversible correction
- Irregular cornea
- Very high refractive error (over -8 and +3 diopters)
ICL Implantation Procedure in 4 Steps: Your Journey to Clear Vision!
- Preparation: After thorough disinfection of the outer area, you will receive local anesthesia either through eye drops or an injection next to the eye. Your eyelids are gently fixed without any discomfort. A short general anesthesia is also possible.
- Precise Incision: An accurate incision at the edge of the cornea is made with surgical precision.
- Lens Implantation: Through this incision, the flexible phakic lens is gently placed.
- Completion of the Procedure: At the end, your eye is protected with an eye patch to protect it from external influences.
Advantages of ICL Implantation
- Reversibility of ICL implantation: No adverse effects on later eye treatments.
- No dry eyes and UV protection provided by the lens.
- Wide treatment spectrum:
- Nearsightedness: -0.50 to -18.00 dpt
- Farsightedness: +0.50 to +10.00 dpt
- Correction of astigmatism up to 6 dpt.
- Optimal visual results even with high refractive errors and thin corneas.
- Optimal results even in patients with high refractive errors.
ICL Implantation: Clear Vision, Reassuring Facts
- Stable vision correction: Studies show that the ICL provides long-term and stable correction of refractive errors, leading to lasting clear vision. (Source: Journal of Refractive Surgery)
- Improved quality of life: Studies have shown that patients experience a significant improvement in their quality of life and satisfaction with their vision after ICL implantation. (Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology)
- Low complication rate: Scientific data suggests that ICL implantation has a low rate of complications and is well tolerated. (Source: Current Opinion in Ophthalmology).
5 Reasons to Consider It:
- Comfort without glasses or contact lenses in everyday life.
- Improved quality of life through clear vision.
- Reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
- More freedom and independence in activities.
- Aesthetic benefits without constant visual aids.
Refractive lens exchange
Refractive lens exchange is a surgical procedure where the natural lens inside your eye is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to correct vision problems. This operation is similar to cataract surgery, where a cloudy lens is removed, but refractive lens exchange is often performed on people who do not have cataracts but want to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
The IOL is placed to change the focusing power of the eye and provide better vision without glasses or contact lenses.
Refractive Lens Exchange: Am I a Suitable Candidate?
- Good general health.
- +15 diopters for farsightedness (Higher corrections available upon request)
- -15 diopters for nearsightedness (Higher corrections available upon request)
- Up to 5 diopters for astigmatism.
Refractive Lens Exchange: 4-Step Procedure: Your Journey to Clear Vision!
- Preparation: The patient receives local anesthetic drops or an injection to numb the eye. The pupil is dilated, and the eye is disinfected.
- Removal of the natural lens: Through a small incision, the natural lens of the eye is removed. It is replaced by an artificial lens that corrects the refractive error.
- Implantation of the artificial lens: The artificial lens is placed in the same space as the removed natural lens. It is precisely positioned to correct vision.
- Completion and recovery: After the secure placement of the lens, a thorough examination of the eye is performed to ensure that the lens is positioned correctly and the procedure was successful. The patient receives instructions for the recovery phase, including possibly prescribed eye drops or wearing an eye shield to protect the eye from external influences.
Benefits of Refractive Lens Exchange:
- Wide range of applications: Correction of various refractive errors such as presbyopia, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
- Long-term correction: Long-lasting or permanent improvement in vision.
- Multifocal lens options: Multifocal or trifocal lenses can be used to see clearly both near and far.
- Customized lenses: Customization of the lens to individual needs and lifestyles of the patient, e.g. for different viewing distances or activities.
5 Reasons to Consider It:
- Comfort without glasses or contact lenses in everyday life.
- Improved quality of life through clear vision.
- Reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
- More freedom and independence in activities.
- Aesthetic benefits without constant visual aids.
Risks of Refractive Lens Exchange:
- Infections: Although rare, infections can occur after surgery. This can lead to inflammation or other complications that require further medical treatment.
- Refractive errors: Sometimes, unexpected refractive errors can occur, resulting in insufficient vision. This may require a re-correction or adjustment of the lens.
It's important to emphasize that these risks are uncommon and many patients achieve excellent results without complications. A thorough examination and consultation with a qualified eye surgeon can help to understand and minimize potential risks.