Näönkorjausleikkaus

Näönkorjausleikkaus, known in English as refractive surgery, refers to a group of surgical procedures performed to correct refractive errors in the eye, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The primary goal of these procedures is to reshape the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye, so that light rays focus correctly on the retina at the back of the eye, thereby improving or eliminating the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The most common type of näönkorjausleikkaus is laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). LASIK involves creating a thin flap on the cornea, lifting it, and then using an excimer laser to remove a precise amount of corneal tissue beneath the flap. The flap is then repositioned. Another common procedure is photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), where the outermost layer of the cornea is removed before the excimer laser reshapes the underlying tissue. Recovery time for PRK is typically longer than for LASIK, as the corneal epithelium needs to regrow.

Other less common refractive surgeries include small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), where a lenticule-shaped piece of tissue is removed from within the cornea using a femtosecond laser, and phacorefractive surgery, which involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Näönkorjausleikkaus is generally considered safe, but as with any surgical procedure, potential risks and complications exist, including dry eyes, infection, glare, and under- or overcorrection. A thorough eye examination and consultation with a qualified ophthalmologist are crucial to determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for näönkorjausleikkaus and to discuss the potential benefits and risks. The outcome of the surgery can vary depending on the individual's eye characteristics and the specific procedure performed.