Prerequisites for an operative correction

(Refractive surgery)

Wearing glasses can involve problems. They can sometimes create disadvantages in daily life, in leisure activities or when playing sports. These disadvantages primarily concern the field of vision or restricted mobility. Furthermore cosmetic, professional or psychological aspects may reduce the patient’s feeling of well-being and justify an operative correction.

Among contact lens wearers unpleasant irritations due to the contact lenses or allergies as a response to certain cleaning agents can sometimes cause an incompatibility.

Refractive surgery represents a possible alternative for patients with problems of this nature. A number of procedures are currently available such as contact lens implantation (Artisan lens), or the excimer laser treatment (PRK and LALASIK). The prerequisites for a refractive surgical measure are as follows:

• The visual deficiency should not have changed significantly in recent years.
• The patient should be at least 20 years of age.
• Eye diseases, for example chronic progressive corneal diseases, cataract or general diseases such as rheumatism or systemic immune diseases are arguments against an operation.
• Taking medications which affect the healing of the cornea are arguments against a laser operation.
• Treatment should not be carried out during pregnancy or when breast feeding.
• If the patient suffers from an allergy it is recommended that the operation be performed in an allergy-free period.

Once these criteria have been examined it may be possible to use one of the refractive surgery procedures. As part of providing objective patient information our prime concern is not what is medically possible but rather what makes best medical sense for you.