Eye surgery

Ophthalmology has numerous surgical methods for the treatment of organic or functional disorders, and for correction of movement disorders and visual refractive errors of the eye.

Cataract surgery

For operations of cataract ( cataract ), the clouded lens is removed and often replaced by an artificial lens. It is one of the most performed surgical procedures in general. The following methods are used:

The Intracapsuläre cataract extraction ( ICCE ) will only be applied in exceptional cases. The lens is removed, including its capsule. The artificial lens is then omitted (the patient gets a cataract glasses ) or fixed to the iris or in the chamber angle.

When Extracapsuläre cataract extraction ( ECCE ), the lens capsule is left in place and clamped the art lens usually is. A distinction between the manual extraction of the conventional method, which is less commonly practiced and is only used when phacoemulsification is not possible. The phacoemulsification is the most common method used in Germany. The lens content is destroyed and removed with a vibrating at ultrasonic frequency tubes.

In addition, the YAG laser capsulotomy exists for the treatment of " cataract ". The lens capsule is opened in the non-contact when the lapse of time becomes opaque by ECCE.

Glaucoma surgery

For operations of glaucoma ( glaucoma) is improved depending on the type of disease of the outflow of aqueous humor, thus reducing the intraocular pressure. The following methods are used, among other things:

• Goniotomy. Cutting the tissue in the drainage area of the aqueous humor to improve the runoff. For example, in congenital glaucoma.
• Iridotomy. Creating a flow opening in the iris to improve the aqueous humor circulation in narrow-angle glaucoma. Nd: YAG laser, without opening the eyeball
• Surgical iridectomy. Through an incision at the edge of the cornea or during another eye surgery

• Excimer laser trabeculotomy ab interno without opening the eyeball

• Cyclophotocoagulation, with electromagnetic radiation (laser )
• Cyclocryocoagulation, with cold

• Argon laser Trabeculoplastie (ALT)
• Selective laser trabeculoplasty ( SLT)

Corneal Surgery

• Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) - corneal transplantation is used to replace a diseased cornea of a donor cornea.
• Lamellar keratoplasty - replace only one layer ( lamella ) of the cornea donor tissue
• Keratoprosthesis (some experimental) - insertion not corneal (not belonging to the cornea ) material ( artificial tooth or similar) as corneal replacement.
• Photo Therapeutic Keratectomy ( PTK) - selective evaporation of the opacified corneal tissue by laser.
• Pterygium removal, excision of vorwachsenden tissue.
• Keratography ( corneal tattooing ) - cosmetic reconstruction method in a number of diseases

Vitreo- retinal surgery

• Vitrectomy, complete removal of the vitreous pars plana vitrectomy ( ppv ), by access through the zone between the retina and ciliary body with or without peeling of epiretinal membranes
• With or without a vitreous replacement with special gases or liquids (eg silicone oil)

• Photo- or laser coagulation, laser
• Cryocoagulation, with cold

• Scleral seal, mostly sponge-like plastic Pneumatic retinopexy, entry of air into the vitreous chamber in order to (additionally) to close the hole of inner retina.

Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery is applied to the correction of refractive errors ( ametropia ) of the eye ( see details on the methods of refractive surgery ). The following methods are known:

• Keratomileusis
• Automated lamellar keratoplasty ( ALK )
• Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis - (LASIK )
• Laser assisted epithelial keratomileusis sub - ( LASEK ) and Epi -LASIK
• Photorefractive keratectomy ( PRK)
• Laser Thermal Keratoplasty ( LTK )
• Conductive Keratoplasty (CK )
• Limbal relaxing incision (LRI )
• Anterior ciliary sclerotomy (ACS )
• Astigmatic keratotomy (AK), or Arcuate keratotomy or Transverse keratotomy
• Radial keratotomy (RK )
• Hexagonal keratotomy ( HK)
• Epikeratophakia
• Corneal ring segments ( Intacs )
• Implantable artificial lenses as " piggyback lenses " between the iris and lens
• As iris - clip lenses on the front of the iris

Eyelid surgery

• Ptosis operation on the levator palpebrae superioris
• Surgical removal of chalazion and tumors
• Advancement flap
• Free skin grafts
• Upper and Unterlidverlängerung
• Lidspaltenverkleinerungen
• Tarsoraphie
• Blepharoplasty
• Laser treatment for the removal of xanthelasma

Lacrimal surgery

• Endoscopic tear duct surgery
• Lacrimal duct surgery after Toti

Eye muscle surgery

Operations on the eye muscles are performed for the correction of squint (strabismus ), eye movements ( nystagmus) and ocular induced head postures. The surgical correction of strabismus is also known as strabismus surgery. Their implementation is concerned, if the degree of squint angle, the development or restoration of binocular vision is not possible or does a central fixation impossible. In addition, cosmetic considerations play a role. By different methods reference is made to influence the operation of one or more muscles of the eye. The following principles form the basis for this:

• Change in muscle strength
• Change the excursion capability
• Change in the rolling zone
• Change in the Bulbusstellung
• Change in the Muskelzugrichtung

In general, the aim of such operations is primarily a functional improvement, and only secondarily a cosmetic point of view.

Okuloplastik

Oculoplastics

• Blepharoplasty, numerous surgical procedures to correct the eyelid skin or Lidstellung.
• Removal of the eyeball Enucleation - removal of the eyeball and leaving of the eye muscles or rest of orbital contents, with or without insertion of a Führungsplombe for a later translated externally fitted artificial eye.
• Evisceration - removal of the eyeball contents, the sclera is preserved. To reduce pain in a blind eye.
• Exenteration - removal of the eye and orbital contents, including extraocular muscles, fat, and connective tissue; in the control of malignant tumors.