REFRACTIVE SURGERY  (Corrective eye surgery)

By I.M. Aslanides, Ophthalmology Surgeon
 i.aslanides@emmetropia.gr

 Better Sight = Quality of Life

Corrective eye surgery is a routine operation for an experienced ophthalmology surgeon. In America alone, over one million such surgeries are performed yearly. Perfecting the modern Excimer Lasers has resulted in these types of operations being safe, and in many cases improving postoperatively even the vision sharpness the patient had before the operation. Refractive surgery corrects abnormalities like myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism.

In a perfect sight (emmetropia), the cornea and the lens focus with precision the beams of light from an object on to the retina, which is at the back part of the eye, thus achieving a perfect picture. But vision rarely remains perfect throughout a lifetime. When the beams of light cannot focus precisely or strongly enough on to the retina then there is an abnormality (ametropia).  In refractive surgery, a specially trained eye surgeon (an ophthalmologist) uses an extremely precise laser to reshape the curvature of the cornea of the eye in order to bring the light into focus and ensure good eye sight.

Laser surgery offers independence from eye-glasses and contact lenses and more comfort in daily activities.  The most often used laser vision corrective methods are the LASIK and the PRK. Both methods have excellent results.

LASIK: It’s the more widespread worldwide method. It is painless, short and safe. Local anaesthesia is used and sight is restored very rapidly in just a few hours, in most cases. With this method, the surgeon using laser makes a flap and exposes the inner cornea, the laser beam is aligned precisely with the center of the eye and the treatment takes place as the laser reshapes the cornea and the flap is put back.  Laser surgery has a higher predictability with a lower incidence of complications. In this case the complications are less than three percent and are reversible.

PRK: It is an equally safe and fast method. In this case the surface of the cornea (epithelium) is removed entirely as the treatment takes place. Afterwards a protective contact lens is placed for a few days. The sight is restored progressively within a few weeks.

Corrective eye surgery is not for everyone. The candidate must be over 18 years of age and must not suffer from chronic cornea or retina diseases.

A preoperative check-up must always precede such a surgery.

PREVENTION AND DENTAL HEALTH

By Nikos Papadakis
Dental Surgeon

Part One

As in all illnesses, prevention is always preferable to the treatment when it comes to your teeth. It’s possible to maintain healthy teeth for the lifetime of a person, as long as teeth and oral cavities are being cared for correctly. Dental diseases can be prevented in the following ways.

Brushing: The toothpaste must contain fluoride. The toothbrush should be placed where the gums are joined with the teeth, with the bristles to be on a 45 degree angle, in order for the gums to be massaged simultaneously with brushing. Then, brush in small circular motions, 15-20 times for each section of teeth, inside and out. The entire process should last at least three minutes (most people brush only thirty seconds). It is necessary to brush at least once a day, especially before sleep because during sleep the flow of saliva which normally protects teeth decreases drastically. You must not use excessive force in brushing, because the adamantine can begin deteriorating and roots will (painfully) appear. The secret in removing plaque is not in the force but in the technique. All teeth and their surfaces must be brushed equally. It’s also important that the tongue is brushed because colonies of microbes reside on it. Use a toothbrush or a special tongue scraper.

Dental Floss: Brushing should be supplemented with the use of dental floss. Dental floss (waxed or plain), can remove dental plaque from spaces between teeth that are impossible to clean using just the toothbrush. Simply cut 30cm of floss, fold the ends around your fingers and pass between teeth being careful not to hurt the gums. By moving the string in an upward motion while drawing it against a tooth the plaque will be removed. The problem with dental floss is that it takes practice to use correctly without damaging the gums, which could result in bleeding and pain. Drugstores have special holding devices which make the flossing process simpler. Avoid using a very thin flossing thread, and people who have tight spaces between teeth should select a flossing thread that can “glide” easily between teeth.

To Be Continued