Laser for myopia in summer: The pros and cons

Summer is considered ideal for increased physical activity and improved diet and fitness. Many, however, believe that this is not the best time for invasive medical practices, such as surgery with correction of the and other refractive abnormalities of vision. However, this belief does not appear to be valid “Older, there was hesitation in performing eye surgery during the summer months because, as was the case for many surgical specialties, techniques and medical machines were not sophisticated and there was an increased risk of post-operative infections and complications. Modern eye surgery has nothing to do with those carried out three decades ago. They are perfectly safe and healing is done very quickly. With modern methods most can even return to work the next day, driving and their other daily activities” Dr. Anastasios-I. Kanellopoulos, MD, Surgeon- Ophthalmologist, founder and scientific director of the LaserVision Institute of Ophthalmology, professor of Ophthalmology, University of New York. The safety of laser interventions in the eyes to correct myopia in the summer have also proven clinical studies. One of them was carried out by scientists at the University of Hamburg and published a few years ago in the medical journal International Ophthalmology. Researchers compared the effects of Lasik interventions on 419 men and 633 women, aged 35. Others had operated on winter and other summers, but the comparison did not show statistically significant difference in postoperative improvement in their myopia. In particular, now candidates for myopia or astigmatism correction with the SMILE Pro method are usually able from the same night of surgery to read or work on a computer, tablet or mobile, while in the majority of cases from the very next day, they can return to work and their daily activities. The method is minimally invasive and painless, offering accurate result and safety, and is suitable even for candidates with thin cornea or dry eye syndrome. There is also a possibility of individualization depending on the needs of each candidate, as well as minimising post-operative flashes that may affect night driving and not only. On an annual basis it is estimated that there are approximately 5 million (2.5 million in China only!) operations, which have some advantages in the summer over the other seasons of the year: There is more time for recovery. In several branches work is reduced in summer, while most workers have their summer leave. So they can program with less stress when exactly they will undergo corrective surgery in their eyes. Increased sun exposure helps as it stimulates vitamin D production. This vitamin is important for healing the corneal lining of the eye, which is sculpted with laser to correct myopia or other refractive abnormality. Of course, after the operation it is important to protect the eyes from UV radiation, using continuous use of sunglasses. There is an increased possibility for movements. The routes of ships, planes, etc. are more dense. This provides the possibility of easier, even the same day moving to and from the large urban centres, where laser surgery is generally carried out in the eyes. “The advantages of laser surgery in the eyes in the summer become even more clear when compared to their pros and cons when performed in the other seasons of the year. In spring and autumn, e.g., the weather is usually milder, so recovery is more comfortable. However, because it is also the seasons of allergies in pollen, there may be unexpected discomforts in the eyes after surgery,” explains Mr. Kanellopoulos and continues: “Indeed, winter considered ideal for invasive medical operations is characterized by low environmental temperatures and dry air indoors (due to central heating). Cold and dry air may lead to post-operative dry eyes if patients do not follow the instructions of their treating eye. The time when laser surgery will take place for myopia or other refractive anomaly is basically a personal choice. If someone doesn’t want to miss a bath in the summer, they’ll probably prefer to operate another time next year. From a medical point of view, however, there is no reason not to do the corrective surgery in the summer. Let us not forget that there are many countries in the world where high temperatures prevail throughout the year, but laser surgery is performed daily, with excellent success rates, so it is the right time for you to decide to get rid of glasses and contact lenses”, concludes Mr.