The latest laser eye surgery in Germany
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Laser vision correction is a modern technique of myopia (nearsightedness), hypermetropia (farsightedness), and astigmatism treatment. The curvature of the cornea is changed during the operation. As a consequence, a patient’s visual acuity is fully restored. Laser correction is carried out using different methods. In Germany, the latest technology in this field of medicine is available.
Content
- Laser vision correction methods
- Why is it better to have laser eye surgery in Germany?
- Which hospitals is it possible to have the laser correction treatment in?
- Choice of hospital and arrangement of treatment
Laser vision correction methods
There are three main methods of vision correction. There are also subtypes of surgeries inside these mentioned groups.
The following treatment techniques are applied for the correction of vision in the majority of cases:
- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is an operation that is effective for myopia and complex myopic astigmatism treatment. The doctor cuts off the corneal flap, leaving its leg. Then, a laser is directed at the external surface of the cornea. Afterwards, the flap is put in place. The main modifications of this operation are: LASEK, ASA, Epi-Lasik, and TransPRK.
- LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) differs in that the laser action is performed on the inner layers of the cornea. A more progressive modification of this type of correction is Femto-Lasik (other names: Fully Laser LASIK, 100% Laser LASIK, and Femto Super Lasik). It is distinguished by the fact that the flap is cut not by an excimer, but by a femtosecond laser.
- ReLEx SMILE (femtosecond laser correction) is the most progressive method of laser vision correction, and is available in developed countries, including Germany.
Its main advantages are:
- no need to form a corneal flap, the intervention is performed through a minimal incision;
- damage to the cornea during surgery is less than 80%;
- no expressed postoperative pain in the first few days after the intervention;
- complications are minimal;
- biomechanical stability of the cornea is not affected;
- nerve endings of the cornea are not injured, which avoids dry eye syndrome after surgery;
- visual acuity is fully restored after 1-2 days (with PRK the duration of recovery can exceed 1 month).
The price of this vision correction technique is higher than the conventionally used surgery (PRK and LASIK). However, many people prefer this exact kind of refractory disorder treatment, due to the advantages listed above.
Why is it better to have laser eye surgery in Germany?
It is possible to have vision correction in basically any country. But, many people who can afford it, prefer to have surgery in Germany. The question is, “Why?”.
The restoration of normal refraction in this country has many advantages such as:
- Thorough diagnostics. Laser vision correction has many contra-indications. There can be diseases and conditions present, which means that surgery would be ineffective or even dangerous. Sadly, in the healthcare facilities of developing countries, where medical activity is poorly controlled at the legislative level, a patient is not always examined with the utmost care, because the abolition of the operation is not beneficial for the hospital. In Germany, preparation for laser correction is regulated by the appropriate protocols. Before the surgery, a thorough examination of the patient can reveal possible violations and determine how safe and expedient it is to perform a surgical intervention at the moment.
- Possibility of other surgeries. Certain clinical cases require the use of other surgical interventions for the correction of a patient’s vision. For instance, scleroplasty is done first for patients with progressive myopia, to stop the process of further reducing visual acuity, and only then is laser correction performed. In cases with significant manifestations of refractory disorders, the implantation of phakic lenses may be required. All of these operations can be carried out in Germany if necessary.
- Safety for the patients. The latest equipment is used to ensure optimal results, and doctors have great experience of conducting such interventions at German hospitals. The risk of complications with laser correction largely depends on the qualification of the doctor. To avoid irreversible visual impairment, it is better to entrust your eyes to experienced professionals who have performed similar operations regularly for many years already.
- Availability of new technologies. ReLEx SMILE is not used at all in almost all the countries with poorly developed healthcare systems. It has only recently been introduced into surgery in some countries. This means that doctors haven’t had the chance to master the new technique to perfection, this then carries certain risks for the patient. The treatment of refractory disorders using the ReLEx SMILE method has been used since 2008 in Germany, therefore, there are a lot of specialists in German hospitals who perfectly understand the technique of femtosecond laser vision correction.
Which hospitals is it possible to have the laser correction treatment in?
There are numerous hospitals in Germany where you can have laser vision correction. These are some of them:
- University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich. Specialists of the Department of Adult and Pediatric Ophthalmology combine well-established methods of restoring visual acuity with a whole range of laser correction techniques. The state-of-the-art equipment used by the physicians of the clinic allows them to conduct a full treatment cycle within 1 day, without the need for an inpatient stay.
- University Hospital Jena has been dealing with the restoration of a patient’s health for more than 200 years. The hospital is operated by the Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena, which is already more than 450 years old. The hospital has a well-equipped Department of Ophthalmology. They have everything necessary to perform laser vision correction.
- Oberberg Gummersbach Hospital is a large general clinic. Since 1994, there has been an established ophthalmology department here. Annually, the doctors of the clinic conduct more than a thousand ophthalmic surgeries. A large part of those are aimed at restoring visual acuity in patients with refractive disorders.
- University Hospital Giessen is one of the largest private University Hospitals in Germany. Operations of any complexity are carried out here, in the Department of Ophthalmology, including laser correction of vision.
Choice of hospital and arrangement of treatment
Choosing a hospital and organizing treatment in Germany presents serious difficulties for many foreign patients, but the international booking platform for medical services abroad, Booking Health, greatly facilitates this task.
By using our services, you are entitled to a number of advantages such as:
- Selection of a hospital that meets all the necessary criteria (the diagnosis, availability of new methods of treatment, prices, conditions of stay in wards, and other factors, are all taken into account when choosing your hospital).
- Saving money by optimizing treatment and diagnostics. Some patients manage to save up to 70% of the cost of therapy with our help.
- Insurance for €200,000, covering any unforeseen medical expenses in Germany for up to 48 months after the completion of your treatment.
- Solving all arrangement issues: we will provide an interpreter, help you to issue a visa, book airline tickets and a hotel, and arrange treatment for you at the hospital.
- The possibility of organizing an urgent treatment (reducing the waiting time for a consultation with an ophthalmologist and the operation).
Contact the specialists of the Booking Health online service! To do this, just make an application on our website. The process of choosing a hospital will take no more than 24 hours.
Choose treatment abroad and you will for sure get the best results!
Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Farrukh Ahmed. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Sources:
International Council of Ophthalmology
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