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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Is there an age limit for LASIK surgery?

LASIK Eye Surgery (Laser-Assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat various refractive defects of eyes like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The surgery is done by cutting out a thin flap from the corner using special instruments like microkeratome or femtosecond laser as a result of which the underlying corneal tissue is exposed. This tissue is then reshaped, very carefully, using a special laser. Although LASIK eye surgery is very effective in treating a number of refractive eye defects, however, the surgery is not suitable for everybody. The age of the patient is to be kept under consideration as there are certain age limits associated with it. The leading LASIK and laser eye surgery hospital in Delhi offers the best treatment options and services to its patients. Lasik eye surgery cost in Delhi is very cheap and at par with International standards making it one of the best places to get your surgery done from.

As per the doctors from the best ophthalmic hospital in Delhi, India a person is eligible to undergo Lasik eye surgery after he crosses 21 years of age. However, the procedure may somehow vary depending upon the adversity of the patient's condition which usually deteriorates with time. LASIK surgery hospitals in Delhi have a very well efficient and specialised staff that consists of some of the best Ophthalmologists of India who make sure that the patient eligible to undergo the procedure and only then carry out the surgery.

You are never too old to get the surgery done and as soon as you cross 21 years of age you can opt for it anytime. However, if the patient is below 21 years of age the surgery should be avoided. The surgery is surely not advisable for children below 18 years of age as their body is still going and so are their eyes which means that their eyesight can change as time passes by. The sole purpose of laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis is to correct the refractive errors which occur when the eyes of the patient are not able to focus the light coming from the object on the retina.

The surgery may be performed on patients lying in the age group of 18 to 21 years only if they have a stable prescription for two or more years. In other words of the power of their eyes does not change within two years. This means that their eyesight has stopped changing, hence, there would not be any change in the refractive error as well. It is very important to consult an eye specialist before making any decision as any carelessness or rash decision can lead to visual impairment.

People below the age of 21 can use glasses or lenses to temporarily help them in seeing things clearly. However, these do not help you get rid of the problem permanently and are only substitutes for the surgery. As time passes by the power of the lens keeps on changing. Hence it is better to opt for the surgery as soon as you reach 21 years of age as the sooner the better. All the glasses and lenses can be very helpful but they have certain cons associated with them. They somewhat limit your activities. You cannot swim while wearing lenses or glasses and how to take extreme care and precaution while wearing them. College students suffering from refractive eye defects, especially experience a lot of difficulties while studying from the books or copying from the blackboard. There is no such hassle once you get the surgery done.

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Eye Diseases Which Can Cause Blindness?

Eyes are one of the most sensitive organs of the human body that enable us to see. Our eyes are prone to a number of problems that can severely affect our vision. Some of these problems can be treated by the use of eye drops whereas others require surgical intervention and if not treated on time, they can even lead to complete blindness. The use of laser technology in the field of ophthalmology has led to the rise of procedures like LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) which is a minimally invasive procedure. You can find some of the best LASIK & Laser Eye Surgery hospital in Delhi. Doctors hailing from the best eye disease treatment hospital of India also recommend such procedures as they have higher success rates and are hassle-free. Blindness is an ailment that can physically disable a person as well lead to depression and other such problems. Even minute eye problems should be tended to immediately and brought under medical supervision. The leading Eye hospitals in Delhi are equipped with all sorts of machines and equipment to help the patient regain his normal eyesight.

Doctors hailing from the best ophthalmic hospital in Delhi, India suggest immediate medical intervention for the below-listed eye problems as these can prove to be very harmful and also lead to blindness if not treated on time.

• Head injuries that include injuries or blow to your brain, skull or scalp which leads to the formation of mild bumps and bruises.
• Glaucoma which is caused by severe damage to the optic nerve.
• Retinal detachment caused by the separation of the retina from the back of the eye. It can lead to partial or complete loss of vision.
• High blood pressure can also damage the nerves of your eyes leading to partial or complete blindness. Hence it is better to keep your blood pressure under control.
• The formation of a white, cloud-like layer on the surface of the eye, known as a cataract.
• Central vision loss due to macular degeneration.
• Just like high blood pressure, diabetes can also prove to be fatal for your eyes and lead to loss of vision.
• Retinal Vascular Occlusion which is caused by the blockage in the blood vessels carrying blood to the retina. This may also be caused due to clot formation.
• Stroke can also severely affect your eyesight and lead to blindness.
• Abnormal inflammation in the optic nerve also leads to blindness. This problem is known as optic neuritis.
• Blindness can also be triggered by the accidental contact of your eyes with chlorine which leads to chlorine poisoning.
• Intracranial Hemorrhage may also lead to blindness. The problem is marked by excessive bleeding inside the patient's skull.

Other serious problems that can lead to total or partial blindness include Albinism, Krabbe disease, Sarcoidosis, Basal Cell Nevus syndrome, Eye emergencies etc.

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What are different types of laser eye surgeries?

Most people don’t know that there are different kinds of eye surgeries to correct the vision each of which is suitable for people with different kinds of needs. Most procedures work to reshape the cornea in the eye so that light passing through it can focus on the retina while other surgeries replace the lens of the eye. The benefit of having different kinds of surgeries for the eyes is that different surgeries have different benefits and are suitable for different kinds of people. A wide range of eye surgeries is available in the best eye hospital in Delhi. The hospital consists of some of the best eye specialists in Delhi who deals with different kinds of surgeries and have a team of highly trained and experienced professionals who are experts at what they do. This makes them the best eye treatment hospital in Delhi.

There are different types of corrective surgeries. Laser in-situ keratomileusis, also known as LASIK surgery helps to reshape the underlying corneal tissue to focus light into the eye and reach the retina. This kind of surgery is ideal for patients who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. Eye surgeons create a flap on the outside layer of the cornea so that they access the underlying tissue. This procedure requires precision and advancements in computer imaging technology that allows LASIK specialists to create detailed corneal images and guide the treatment. Lasik eye surgery in India is very common.

Photorefractive keratectomy commonly known as PRK is a procedure that uses a laser to reshape the cornea. PRK reshapes the surface of the cornea. This kind of procedure is ideal for mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. PRK surgery can also work with computer imaging technology.

Laser epithelial keratomileusis, also known as LASEK is a slight variation of PRK in which the doctor creates a flap where epithelial cells are loosened by applying an alcohol solution and then, a laser reshapes the cornea and the flap is set and secured with a soft contact lens so that it can heal around the correction. LASEK is ideal for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Automated lamellar keratoplasty, also known as ALK can help people with severe nearsightedness and few levels of farsightedness, although LASIK has replaced ALK as a method of correction. In this procedure, an eye specialist creates a flap in the cornea to access the underlying tissue and instead of using a laser the doctor makes an incision in the sub-layer of the cornea to reshape and correct vision.  

Refractive lens exchange commonly known as RLE is a procedure for correcting cataracts in this procedure doctor makes a small incision to remove the natural lens of the eye on the edge of the cornea which is replaced with a silicone or plastic lens. This procedure can be used to correct severe farsightedness or nearsightedness and to correct thin corneas, dry eyes, and other minor eye problems.

The epilasik procedure is the procedure in which the doctor separates a thin layer of the cornea and then reshapes it. It is similar to PRK as the layer may either be removed or replaced and this procedure is finished by applying a soft contact lens to protect the area until it can fully heal.  

Presbyopic lens exchange, also known as PRELEX is the treatment that is given when the eye’s lens loses its flexibility. Patients who have difficulty focusing on close objects benefit from this treatment.  In this procedure, the eye doctor implants a multifocal lens to improve flexibility and restore focus.

Intacs commonly known as intracorneal ring segments (ICR) is the procedure where the doctor makes a small incision in the cornea and two crescent-shaped plastic rings are placed at the outer edge of the cornea to flatten it which allows for light rays to be altered in the way that they focus on the retina.
Patients who are too nearsighted for PRK and LASIK may benefit from Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants. In this procedure, the doctor inserts an implant through a very small incision at the edge of the cornea that attaches to the iris behind the pupil and the eye’s natural lens is left in its place.
AK which stands forastigmatic keratotomy is a surgery that corrects astigmatism without the use of a laser. This surgery corrects cornea and vision by making one or two incisions at the steepest part of the cornea. When the incisions are made, the cornea relaxes and takes a more rounded shape.

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What is Drooping eyelid? What is the treatment?

Drooping eyelids, commonly known as Ptosis is a medical condition marked by the dropping of the upper eyelid in certain people. The drooped eyelid may not necessarily cover the whole pupil but may only cover a slight portion of the eye. People suffering from Ptosis find it very difficult to keep their eyes fully open at all times and the problem may even disrupt their normal vision. The treatment for Ptosis is available at the leading eye disease treatment hospital in Delhi. In fact, you can find some of the best Oculoplastic Surgery Doctors in Delhi who help in correcting the problem surgically. The patients suffering from dropping eyes usually have to keep their eyebrows raised in order to force their eyes open. The problem wouldn't be of much concern if it only affected the physical appearance of the patient but the fact that it can affect the normal vision of the person is quite concerning. The Best ophthalmologist in Delhi recommends surgery for the complete eradication of the problem. If you are looking for the best eye hospital in Delhi, make sure reconsider the availability of all the facilities available in that hospital as well as the efficiency of the doctors our eyes are very sensitive and you surely do not want to take any risk that can lead to permanent visual impairment.

The eyes are the most sensitive organs of the human body and are protected by the eyelids. Whenever we blink our eyelids cover our eyes and help to reduce eye strain. In normal people when the eyelids are open, they do not hinder the normal functioning of the eye and cover only a slight part of the eye. However, in patients suffering from drooping eyelids or Ptosis, the eyelids of the person are drooping down and cover the retina partially or completely. The problem is not life-threatening but is definitely life-changing. Since the patient's normal eyesight is hindered, he may not be able to perform normal day to day function easily. At times the patient may even experience difficulty and moving around especially when the person is tired. The problem also affects the physical appearance of the patient as it is clearly visible on the patient's face. You can get temporary relief from the problem by forcing your eyebrows up but it is not possible to do so for a long time as you might get tired. The best solution to treat the problem is by eradicating it surgically.

The problem is very common in older people and is caused by weakening of the eye muscles. The problem may also be triggered due to cataract surgery. The surgical procedure involves the tightening of the levator muscles in order to elevate the eyelid. A sling operation may also be performed to enable the forehead muscles to elevate the eyelids.

Ptosis or Drooping eyes can affect people of any age group and even children. However, in children, the problem is congenital i.e present since birth. Treating the problem is extremely important as it can affect the self-confidence of your child and also create difficulties for him/her in pursuing a normal lifestyle. It is advisable to consult the best ophthalmologist or rather a highly specialised oculoplastic surgeon to get the problem treated with very high efficiency. The leading eye surgery hospitals are equipped with all the necessary equipment required for the procedure and aim at providing the best results.

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How to take care of eyes at home?

 Eyes being one of the most vital and delicate organs of the human body need utmost care and protection. Eyes are one of the most important organs of the human. They enable us to see. A slight scratch in the eye can prove to be a matter of concern and if not treated properly a person may even lose his ability to see. Our eyes function 24/7 and undergo a lot of stress and strain In our day to day life.

We are quite aware of the harmful effects of pollution on our eyes and some people believe that we only need to take care of our eyes when we are outdoor. However the reality is that it is not only the pollution that is harmful for our eyes and it is equally important to take care of our eyes at home. Although we don't realise it but many day to day activities that we indulge in, are harmful for our eyes. Reports and studies conducted by the best eye hospital in Delhi shows that most of the cases of eye problems are an outcome of excessvie use of computers and mobiles. All the technological advancements have made our life easier but constant use of technology can prove very harmful for our eyes. The best ophthalmologist in Delhi says that continuously sitting in front of the computer screen can have a drastic effect on your eyes and weaken our eyesight.

A few steps suggested by the best ophthamologist in Delhi to avoid eye problems at home are as under:

A proper and balanced diet plays a very important role in maintaining the health of Eyes. The nutrients present in foods such as carrots and green vegetables help improve vision. They also increase immunity and reduce the chances of eye infection.

Reports given by the best eye hospital in Delhi show that smoking can have harmful effects on the vision of a person. Chain smokers are often seen to suffer from visual disabilities. Hence it is advisable to quit smoking.

If your work is such that you have to constantly stick to your computer screen you should make it a point to take breaks at regular intervals in order to relieve your eyes. Constantly staring at the computer screen may damage your eyes to a degree that you might need to undergo surgery to regain normal vision this is because when the bright light emmited from the computer falls on our eyes it leads to eyestrain. Also it should be ensured that you do not directly face the window while working on a computer. The lighting of the working space should be dim if you are working on a laptop.

We can't stop children from watching cartoon but we should try to limit the time for which they watch television and make sure that the do not sit close to the computer screen but maintain a proper distance.

The study rooms should be properly lit and the light should neither be too bright, nor too dim.

If you have been prescribed reading or working glasses by your ophthalmologist, make sure you do not forget to wear them while reading a working on a computer as this may affect your eyesight. In case you wear contact lenses make sure you properly clean them after use and store them properly in a hygienic place.

If you have a family history of eye problems make sure you visit your ophthamologist for the frequent eye examination to ensure there's no problem.

In case you have high blood pressure or sugar make sure you take your medications properly as these also affect your eyes and vision. 

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Did you know this about your eyes?

Eyes are the most vital and delicate organs of the human body and they start functioning as soon as we are born. Although babies are born colourblind, but they slowly develop their eyesight within a very brief period of time. Our eyes enable us to see. Although we think that we know everything about our eyes but the best opthamologist in Delhi lays down certain facts that are hardly known by us. Our eyes function 24/7 and hence the muscles of the eyes are the most active of all the muscles in our body.

If a person has blue or green eyes it is possible that his later generations may show the same trait however the best ophthalmologist in Delhi states that having blue or green coloured eyes is a recessive trait and even if nobody from the earlier generations of a person had coloured eyes, it is possible for the future generations to have them.Some people may even be born with two different eye colours. A person suffering from such condition is said to be heterochromatic and the the condition is called heterochromia. In such cases lenses can be used to fix the problem.

As mentioned earlier eyes are very delicate and slide scratch or impurity in the eye can be very irritating and painful. However eyes heal very quickly. In case of a normal scratch, it may take upto 48 hours to heal completely as suggested by best eye hospital in delhi 

Increasing pollution and excessive use of personal computers, laptops, and mobiles is the major reason for various eye-related diseases nowadays. Dust particles present in the atmosphere can enter our eyes and cause irritation and you in infections. Hence it is very important take care of our eyes especially when we are outside. According to the best opthamologist in Delhi, ultraviolet radiations coming from the Sun are also extremely fatal for the eyes and it is advisable to wear Sun shades while going out as they are not only protect the eyes from the solar radiations but also stop atmospheric impurities from entering our eyes.

An average human beings about 12 times in a minute and an average blink lasts for about 1/10th of a second. Blinking can be voluntary as well as involuntary and it helps to relieve the eyes from strain and stress. However excessive blinking indicates that there is some problem with the eyelids or the upper surface of the eye.

As far as the infants are concerned, they develop proper eyesight with time. An average baby takes about 8 weeks to completely focus on one object. Even at this stage, they are still not properly coordinated and they take approximately 2 months to develop proper coordination. The tear ducts of infants are also underdeveloped and do not produce tears till they are 4 weeks old.

Due to advancements in the field of medicine and technology it has now become possible to restore a person's eyesight by surgical process. However it is yet not possible to completely transplant an eyeball. As the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain is extremely sensitive and it is not possible to reconstruct it with accuracy.

The cells in our eyes are of different shapes and forms such as rod shaped and cone shaped. Rod shaped cells are associated with imparting vision where as cone shaped cells help us to distinguish between different colours. Both are equally important and help in proper functioning of the eyes.

Around 39 million people all around the world are not able to see and even more suffer from visual impairment which may be present by birth or a result of an accident or injury. 

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What are different types of eye cataracts?

A cataract is a thick, cloudy part that outlines the lens of the eye. A cataract takes shape when proteins in the eye start to gather which further stops the lens from transferring clear images to the retina. The retina converts the light into signal which comes through the lens.

This grows slowly and ultimately affects your vision. One can have cataracts in either eyes, or just one eye. Cataracts are commonly seen in elderly people. Basic symptom of cataract is blurry vision, problem seeing at night, colours may appear pale, sensitivity towards glare and sunlight or double vision.

Though there are no specific reasons behind cataract, still there are multiple potential causes which include overproduction of oxidants, smoking, ultraviolet radiation, long term use of steroids, some chronic diseases, diabetes and radiation therapy.

Types of Cataracts

According to the advanced cataract surgery hospital, there are different types which can further be classified into below categories:

Anterior Subcapsular Cataracts: This sort of cataracts forms inside the front of lens capsule. An injury or swelling in your eye can lead to one.

Congenital Cataracts: These sorts of cataracts are inborn and occur since childhood. Some are linked to the genes of child and others are due to an illness that the mother carries along with pregnancy.

Nuclear cataracts: This type of cataract develops in the middle of the lens and causes the nucleus which is the centre of the eye to become yellow or brown. An advanced cataract surgery hospital will assure the patient and let the patient know about the cause, effect and post surgery care for eye completely.

Traumatic Cataracts: Several injuries can lead to cataract. The cataract could come on soon after the injury or not show up until years later.

Secondary Cataracts: When a medical treatment leads to a cataract, doctors label it as secondary Cataracts.

Radiation Cataracts: Ultra violet rays not only affect your skin from sun’s ultraviolet radiation, but it can also harm your eyes. If a person spends too much time in the sun without any eye protection, can get affected with cataract in later stage of life.

Lamellar or Zonular Cataracts: This type of cataract is normally seen in younger children. The genes that cause them are passed on from parent to child. In this type of cataract there could be seen small dots in the lens or the entire lens could turn white.

Cortical cataract: This is a white, wedge-like cloudiness that start in the edge of the lens and reach the center. This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex, which is the part of the lens that surrounds the central nucleus.

According to some of the advanced cataract surgery hospital in India, surgical treatments are the best for treating cataract. Cataract prevents one from doing daily activities including reading, driving, watching television to name a few. The way it is important to exercise in order to keep our body hale and hearty, it is also essential to our eyes to be in a healthy state. A healthy lifestyle may help in preventing cataract. In the early stage, cataracts are managed by spectacles. But with the progress of the disease it starts deteriorating. advanced cataract surgery hospital facilitate simple yet effective Cataract surgery that entails sucking out the natural lens and replacing it by an artificial one.

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