The Hospital Clínic Ophthalmological Institute, headed by Dr. Alfredo Adán has incorporated a new system of two types of laser, which, through two surgical procedures performed simultaneously, makes it possible to correct some of the most common vision problems. These are myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, which are usually corrected using laser refractive surgery.
In these three eyesight defects there is a malformation in the length of the eyeball or in the shape of the curve, which can be corrected with laser. So, changing the shape of the cornea artificially using refractive surgery ensures that the correction is long-lasting and does not depend on external aids such as spectacles or contact lenses.
The new system incorporates a femtosecond laser, the most accurate laser currently available for eye surgery, which makes a hinged flap in the cornea. The curvature of the cornea is then reshaped with an excimer laser, a state-of-the-art device that incorporates the most advanced technology.
Thanks to this new equipment, if necessary the two surgical procedures can be carried out in a single operation: first using the technique known as FEMTO-LASIK - femtosecond laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis - and then PRK - photorefractive keratectomy. The latter is above all used in cases when the cornea is very thin.
Both LASIK and PRK are short, painless, outpatient procedures that last only 10-15 minutes. They only require topical anaesthesia, which is administered beforehand in the form of eye drops. After the operation, the patient’s vision will be blurred. However, the following day their vision is usually good enough to lead a normal life.
