Keratoplasty Eye Surgery (ALK)

Automated lamellarkeratoplastyeyesurgery, or ALK, is a surgical procedure used to correct visioninpeople with severenearsightednessand mild degrees offarsightedness.

Keratoplasty eye surgery, performed under localanesthesia, usually takes less than an hour to complete. A cutting device is used to make a small incomplete flap across thecornea. While still attached at one side, thecornealflap is folded back to reveal the layer oftissuebelow. Another, very precisecutis made on the sub layer of tissue based on the person's glasses'prescription. After this cut, the corneal flap is placed back over the eye where it reattaches.

Compared to other vision repair surgeries:

• The healingprocessfor keratoplasty eye surgery is relatively quick
• It takes less time for stable vision to return
• Recovery period is more comfortable

While keratoplasty eye surgery is a safe and effective surgery, it does have its disadvantages. They include:

• For people with mild to moderate nearsightedness, keratoplasty eye surgery is not as accurate as other eye procedures, meaning that its outcome is more difficult to predict.
• Keratoplasty eye surgery slightly increases a person's risk of developing an irregularastigmatism.

Aside from the above-mentioned disadvantages,side effects, though rare, do occur. These may include:

• Glare
• Inability to wear contacts, sometimes permanently
• Infection
• Corneal scarring

Before your keratoplasty eye surgery you will havemetwith a coordinator who will discuss with you what you should expect during and after the surgery. During this session yourmedical history将评估,你的眼睛将受到考验。李kely tests will include measuring corneal thickness,refraction, andpupildilation. Once you have gone through your evaluation, you will meet thesurgeon, who will answer any further questions you may have. Afterwards, you can schedule an appointment for the keratoplasty eye surgery.

If you wear rigidgaspermeablecontact lenses, you should not wear them during the three weeks before keratoplasty eye surgery. Other types of contact lenses shouldn't be worn for at least three days prior to keratoplasty eye surgery. Be sure to bring your glasses to the surgery so your prescription can be reviewed.

On the day of your keratoplasty eye surgery, eat a light meal before going to thedoctorand take all of your prescribed medications. Do not wear eyemakeupor have any bulky accessories in your hair that will interfere with positioning your head under thelaser. If you do not feel well that morning, call the doctor's office to determine whether the keratoplasty eye surgery needs to be postponed.

The healing time from keratoplasty eye surgery is very rapid. It usually takes only about 24 hours to mend. But it may take a few weeks for your vision to finally stabilize.

Your doctor will give you eye drops tocontrolinflammation, discomfort, and prevent infection.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute.

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Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson,MD, WebMD, October 2004.

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