Vision correction: An overview of the most common and most effective procedures

Written in association with: Mr Aris Konstantopoulos
Published: | Updated: 13/09/2023
Edited by: Conor Lynch

If you've ever wanted to improve the vision and overall health of your eyes, and have considered or are currently considering undergoing a vision-correcting procedure, then expert consultant ophthalmologist Mr Aris Konstantopoulos might have the information you need.

 

In our latest article, Mr Konstantopoulos outlines three of the most common and most effective vision-correction surgical procedures available for patients today.

What is LASIK?

LASIK, commonly referred to as laser eye surgery, is the world's most commonly performed laser vision correction procedure. Over the past 30 years; since its availability; more than 40 million procedures have been carried out worldwide with great success. It can be used to treat short-sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism.

 

A LASIK vision-correction procedure is performed by altering the shape of the cornea and focusing the light rays sharply on the retina. Satisfaction rates are overwhelmingly high, with more than 99 per cent of patients being extremely satisfied with the visual outcome.

 

Typically, the majority of patients will achieve 6/6 or 20/20 vision the day after the operation. It is a very successful procedure that can improve the quality of your vision and also give you the freedom of life, in addition to reducing the risks associated with contact lens wear, such as dry eye and (eye) infection.

 

How does SMILE help?

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the latest innovation in laser vision-correction surgery. The acronym SMILE stands for small incision lenticule extraction. Unlike the LASIK procedure, the SMILE operation does not involve the creation of a flap. It is a keyhole operation that is performed through a three-milimetre incision.

 

The advantages associated with small incision surgery are manyfold, as keyhole surgery has become much more common in a variety of operations. The advantages of SMILE include:

  • potentially less dry eye
  • better biomechanical stability
  • better long-term stability

 

PRESBYOND laser blended vision: compensation for presbyopia

Presbyopia is the medical term used to refer to the need for reading glasses. As we get older, the lens inside our eyes loses the natural elasticity. As a result, we lose the ability to focus, which results in many of us requiring the use of reading glasses in order to see close up. Although presbyopia cannot be cured, PRESBYOND laser blended vision correction offers a unique opportunity to compensate for presbyopia.

 

Presbyond is carried out by focusing the dominant eye for distance and your non-dominant eye for near sight. Presbyond is very different to traditional monovision, due to the fact that it increases the depth of field of each eye, creating a unique blend zone.

 

This allows the two eyes to work well together with no disparity for distance and near. Presbyond is a type of LASIK procedure that can eliminate the need for both distance and reading glasses.

 

All laser vision correction procedures, including LASIK, SMILE and Presbyond, are all equally excellent vision-correction procedures. The best, most ideal procedure for you really depends on your unique characteristics, such as your age, your type of prescription, the degree of prescription, the shape of your cornea, as well as the desired outcome and lifestyle that you wish to achieve.

 

Therefore, we spend a significant amount of time examining the eyes in the clinical consultation, and so too in the overall assessment of the given state of your eyes. We prioritise understanding what you would like to achieve in order to identify the best possible procedure for you.

 

 

 

Mr Aris Konstantopoulos is a revered consultant ophthalmologist who can help treat any eye-related condition you may be suffering from. If you are considering undergoing one of the vision-correcting procedures mentioned above, be sure to check out Mr Konstantopoulos’ Top Doctors profile to book an appointment with him.

By Mr Aris Konstantopoulos
Ophthalmology

Mr Aris Konstantopoulos is a consultant ophthalmologist at Nuffield Wessex and Spire Southampton. His clinical activities focus on conditions of the cornea and the lens and he regularly carries out corneal and cataract surgery. Mr Konstantopoulos sees patients with astigmatism and refractive errors who may suffer from keratoconus and corneal conditions requiring corneal transplantation, such as Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Mr Konstantopoulos also partakes in theatre sessions dedicated to collagen-cross linking, cataract surgery and corneal surgery, and laser vision correction.

He also treats more complex refractive cataract cases and has a clinical interest in patients with keratoconus and high astigmatism and has a theatre list for collagen cross-linking, a treatment that greatly improves and stabilises the condition. Mr Konstantopoulos graduated from the University of Glasgow and completed his ophthalmology training in hospitals of the Oxford and Wessex Deaneries. Fascinated by the beauty of the cornea, Mr Konstantopoulos specialised in conditions of the anterior segment of the eye. He completed two years of advanced training (fellowship) on ‘Cornea and external eye disease' at University Hospital Southampton and University of Southampton. Mr Konstantopoulos focused his research on how to use optical coherence tomography imaging for the diagnosis of conditions of the cornea, which led to the award of a PhD degree and numerous international and national awards.

He later subspecialised in lamellar corneal transplantation and refractive surgery with a fellowship at the Singapore National Eye Centre, one of the most prestigious and advanced ophthalmology institutions in the world. Since subspecialising, he has now incorporated new practices and innovations when carrying out corneal transplantation, laser refractive surgery and treatment for conditions of the cornea.

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