Silicone oil is a substance injected into the eye at the end of certain complex vitrectomy surgeries (usually for difficult retinal detachments) to hold the retina in place for an extended period. After the retina has fully stabilized (typically several months to a year later), this oil must be removed in a second surgery because over time it can lead to complications such as glaucoma, cataract, or corneal opacity.
Ptosis refers to drooping of the upper eyelid, which can be congenital or acquired (e.g., due to aging, eyelid trauma, or neuromuscular disorders). In severe cases, this drooping can restrict the superior visual field, cause eye fatigue, or be cosmetically bothersome. Surgery aims to elevate the eyelid to an appropriate level and achieve symmetry with the contralateral eye.
This surgery is performed to correct strabismus (misalignment of the eyes). In strabismus, due to an imbalance in the function of the extraocular muscles, the visual axes of the two eyes are not aligned. This can cause diplopia (double vision), amblyopia (lazy eye), and cosmetic and social problems. The surgery aims to restore eye coordination and alignment by strengthening, weakening, or repositioning one or more of the eye muscles.
This is the standard treatment method for cataract. In cataract, the eye's natural clear lens gradually becomes cloudy, like a fogged-up window, blurring vision, fading colors, and making night vision difficult. Phaco surgery involves making a small incision in the cornea, breaking up and removing the clouded lens using ultrasound waves, and replacing it with a clear artificial lens (IOL).
Direct injection of medication into the vitreous (the eye's gel-like substance) is used to treat vascular and inflammatory diseases of the retina and macula. Common injectable drugs include anti-VEGF agents (such as Avastin, Eylea) to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and retinal edema, and corticosteroids (such as triamcinolone, Ozurdex) to suppress and control inflammation.
This procedure is different from other laser vision correction surgeries. Instead of reshaping the cornea, a thin, custom-made lens is implanted inside your eye, usually just behind your natural iris. Your natural lens remains untouched. This is often the preferred option for very high prescriptions or thin corneas unsuitable for laser surgery. The procedure is performed through a microscopic incision, often using general or local anesthesia. The artificial lens unfolds and is positioned securely in place.
PRK is a laser vision correction procedure performed on the surface of the cornea. First, your eye is numbed with drops. The surgeon gently removes the thin, protective outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium). This is done either with a gentle scraping tool, a brush, or a dilute alcohol solution. Once this layer is removed, the excimer laser is applied to precisely reshape the underlying corneal tissue to correct your prescription. A soft bandage contact lens is then placed on the eye to protect it as the surface heals. The entire procedure for one eye takes only a few minutes.
In FemtoLASIK, a flap is created in the cornea before laser reshaping. First, a femtosecond laser creates thousands of microscopic bubbles at a precise depth within the cornea, forming a perfectly even flap. The surgeon then lifts this hinged flap to expose the underlying tissue. The excimer laser reshapes the cornea to correct the vision. Finally, the flap is carefully repositioned, where it adheres naturally without stitches. The entire process takes about 10-15 minutes for both eyes.
TransPRK is an advanced, "no-touch" form of surface ablation. A single excimer laser performs the entire procedure in one step: it first removes the epithelial layer and then immediately reshapes the underlying cornea to correct the prescription. Because no brush, blade, or alcohol touches the eye, it is considered very gentle and may promote a more even healing response. Like PRK, a bandage contact lens is placed on the eye at the end.