Things you should know before you get SMILE surgery done for your eyes

Smile stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. Also known as femtosecond Lenticule Extraction (Flex), it is a laser-assisted technique used to treat refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism. The procedure was developed by Carl Zeiss Meditec and has gained a lot of popularity all over the world. Smile Eye Surgery in Delhi is offered at all the leading eye hospitals.

Dr Prashaant Chaudhry is the most trusted name in the field. Listed among the besteye doctors in Delhi, he specialises in a variety of ophthalmic procedures and is highly acknowledged for the efficiency and high success rate of his treatments.

Smile is a bladeless procedure which means minimal pain and discomfort. It involves the use of a femtosecond laser which is used to create a small opening (around 3 mm) in the cornea through which a certain amount of the corneal tissue is removed.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction is also suitable for patients who are not considered to be eligible for LASIK surgery as it does not cause much damage to the corneal nerves. This is partly the reason why SMILE surgery is given preference over LASIK surgery.

The recovery period in case of SMILE is very short and it does not require any stitches. The cornea heals on its own. However, some precautions are to be taken in order to avoid infection.

The procedure can only be used to treat myopia and astigmatism and cannot be used in case of patients suffering from presbyopia and hypermetropia.

Although myopia and astigmatism can be temporarily corrected by the use of spectacles and lenses but using these on a regular basis can be quite hectic. Provided you cannot use these while playing contact sports or swimming. Patients using contact lenses and glasses can opt for SMILE surgery to get rid of their lenses and spectacles permanently.

Things to keep in mind:

• Ø  The procedure hardly takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Ø  Remember to wear warm clothes during the procedure as the laser technology requires the room to remain at a low temperature.
• Ø  Before carrying out the procedure, the doctors will use some sedative eye drops to numb your eyes. In the case of anxiety, you might even be given some oral sedatives. In case you are allergic to any of these, inform your surgeon beforehand.
• Ø  Once your eyes are numb, you will be asked to lie down straight on your back and the laser will be adjusted accordingly.
• Ø  Doctors use a special instrument known as speculum to keep your eyes open throughout the procedure.
• Ø  The femtosecond laser used during the procedure is robotically assisted thereby ensuring higher precision and accuracy. It is used to create a thin flap through which the lenticule is removed. The flap is then placed back.
• Ø  After the surgery, you might feel dizzy for some time due to the effect of the sedatives.
• Ø  You will be required to take certain medicines, mostly eye drops, as prescribed by your doctor, to avoid any sort of infection.
• Ø  Even after the surgery, you need to visit your ophthalmologist on a regular basis to ensure that there is no complication.
• Ø  Although you might feel slight discomfort or itching sensation in your eyes, do not rub your eyes as this can give rise to complications
• Ø  Make sure to keep water away from your eyes unless the wound heals completely.
• Ø  Take complete rest for at least 2 to 3 days post surgery.
• Ø  Avoid going out in direct sunlight and remember to wear sun shades while going out.
• Ø  In case of persistent pain or irritation, immediately inform your doctor. Do not try any medication on your own.

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Not all food items are good for joints; Avoid these food items in case of knee pain

Joint problems of various types have become quite widespread nowadays and this has given rise to the need for spreading awareness about the same. Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, is one of the greatest enemies of your joints. The condition is marked by chronic joint disintegration which ultimately leads to unbearable pain, inflammation and swelling. Knee arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. Undergoing Knee replacement surgery in Delhi is definitely a better option as the doctors here are highly skilled and efficient and the services offered by them are at par with International standards.

 

According to Dr. Sourabh Shah, one of the leading knee replacement specialists in India, arthritis can be easily kept under control by following a healthy routine. Our diet also plays a major role in this. There are certain food products that are highly recommended for improving the health of your joints and certain food products that are strictly prohibited.

As per the doctors hailing from the best partial and total knee replacement surgery hospital in Delhi, these food products that are to be strictly avoided if you are experiencing any kind of joint-related problems, especially those related to the knees. 

Sugar - higher sugar intake is responsible for a variety of health issues. It can trigger the production of certain cells that can lead to joint inflammation. Various other food products, especially those rich in carbohydrates, may have the same effect. Apart from causing inflammation, higher sugar intake can also lead to obesity which again is not good for your joints. 

Salt - excessive consumption of salt can aggravate osteoarthritis by compelling the cells to attract water. It can also increase the swelling caused by osteoarthritis, eventually leading to unbearable pain. 

Trans fats and saturated fats - these also have a tendency of triggering inflammation and are mostly found in processed and baked food products. 

MSG - also known as monosodium glutamate, it is an ingredient widely used in oriental foods and sauces. This can affect your bone density and also lead to other chronic ailments. 

Omega - 6 fatty acids- unlike Omega-3 which is very beneficial for people with arthritis, omega-6 fatty acids can trigger and increase the production of certain inflammatory chemicals. It is usually present in corn and sunflower oil. 

Alcohol - people with chronic joint pain are often recommended to take certain drugs for easing the pain. Alcohol can react with these drugs and lead to drastic side effects. 

Carbohydrates and fats - it is definitely not possible to completely eliminate these from your diet but you can limit the consumption of carbs replace unhealthy fats with healthy ones. This is very important as carbs and fats can lead to obesity and studies have shown that obese people are much more prone to problems like arthritis and osteoarthritis.

In case you have any doubts related to your diet, you can easily consult a dietician for a specialised diet plan. It might seem a bit difficult to adapt to these changes at first but gradually you'll get used to these.

Also, regular joint checkups are a must and you should definitely opt for these to keep a track of the progress of the disease.

Doctors usually recommend omega 3 fatty acids, healthy fats, antioxidants, oleocanthal, turmeric, vitamin A, C and K, sulforaphane, glucosinate and food products rich in calcium to patients suffering from any kind of bone and joint problem as this help to strengthen our bones and joints and also help with the inflammation. You can even opt for physiotherapy.

Hence it should be kept in mind that not all food products are good for your joints and it is extremely important to educate yourself about the various side effects of these so that you can not only help yourself but also your loved ones.

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