Although the eye is small, many things can go wrong within it. There are many types of surgeries to correct or improve various eye issues. With new technology and techniques, most common procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis and are generally performed by different types of ophthalmologists, some with special training.
Cataract Surgery
A cataract occurs when the clear crystalline lens that focuses light onto the back of the eye becomes cloudy. Cataract surgery involves the removal of the cataract and is performed by an ophthalmologist; the surgeon can replace the cloudy lens with a lens implant for many patients. This is usually an outpatient procedure. According to the University of Michigan, more than 95 percent of cataract surgeries lead to improved visual acuity.
Corneal Transplant
The cornea is the clear tissue in the front of the eye; when it becomes cloudy from disease or injury, it becomes difficult to see. In an article on the All About Vision website, writer Jessica Hill states that an ophthalmologist can perform a corneal transplant where a portion of the damaged cornea is removed and replaced with a section of cornea from a donor. This surgery can be combined with a cataract removal procedure. Corneal transplantation surgery is generally an outpatient procedure; due to the risk of rejection of the transplanted tissue, the patient will require a significant amount of followup with the eye surgeon.
Eyelid Surgery
The eye surgeons at the University of Michigan state that several different conditions can be treated by eyelid surgery. One of these conditions is ptosis, which is a drooping of the upper lid; another is entropion, in which the eyelashes and lid margin are turned in against the eyeball. The conditions of ectropion--which is the turning out of the eyelid margin--and excessive eyelid skin can also be corrected with different types of eyelid surgery. These eyelid surgeries are all outpatient procedures and can usually performed by ophthalmologists but can be performed by plastic surgeons, dermatologic surgeons or ear nose and throat surgeons.
Eye Muscle Surgery
The muscles of the eye move the eyes in different directions; however, there are conditions in which the muscles do not move the eyes together as they should. As the doctors report from the University of Michigan, eye muscle problems can occur in children but can also occur in adults as a result of muscle damage or injuries to the nerves that supply the muscles. Before the surgery, the eye surgeon makes measurements to determine how much each muscle needs to be moved on the eye to get the eyes back in normal position. During the eye muscle surgery, the muscles are reattached back to the eye according to the measurements. For most patients, this type of procedure is performed under general anesthesia; however, some surgeon may use local anesthesia for certain adults.
Glaucoma Surgery
In glaucoma, the eye pressure inside the eye leads to damage of the optic nerve--which causes vision loss. As noted on the Eye Surgery Education Council website, several types of procedures can lower the eye pressure inside the eye if medications and laser surgery do not lower the pressure sufficiently. A filtering procedure called a trabeculectomy involves a small incision in the eye. A piece of tissue covers the incision. This allows fluid to slowly leave the eye and lower the eye pressure. In another type of procedure, a small tube is placed inside the eye to allow the fluid to drain out. While these surgeries can all be done on an outpatient basis, they do require a significant amount of followup with the eye surgeon.
Retinal Surgery
Multiple procedures can be done to repair a retinal detachment after the retina has peeled away from the back of the eye, the MayoClinic.com website notes. In a pneumatic retinopexy, an air bubble is injected into the eye to push the retina back against the eye. A scleral buckle is a silicone band that is wrapped around the eye to push the walls of the eye in towards the detached retina. In another procedure, vitrectomy, the gel-like substance inside the eye is removed to stop any tension on the retina; in its place, either air, a gas or silicone oil is placed inside the eye to press the retina back. Most of these procedures are done under general anesthesia.
Refractive Surgery
As stated on the International Society of Refractive Surgery website, there are several types of vision correction surgeries. Photorefractive Keratectomy and Laser Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis, commonly called LASIK, use lasers to change the shape of the cornea to improve the vision. According to the University of Michigan, over 2 million nearsighted people around the world have had laser correction surgery. There are non-laser vision correction surgeries as well--a plastic corneal ring that can reshape the cornea and a contact lens that is implanted into the eye.
