SILK eye surgery, also known as Smooth Incision Lenticule Keratomileusis, has emerged as the latest technique to correct vision errors in patients. Offering high precision and faster recovery, the SILK procedure is increasingly preferred by patients seeking freedom from spectacles and contact lenses.
This write-up provides an in-depth analysis of the SILK eye surgery – its procedure, benefits and what patients can expect.
What is the SILK Procedure?
SILK is an advanced laser eye surgery that is specifically designed to correct refractive errors, particularly myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a femtosecond laser, known for its accuracy, to reshape the cornea.
The SILK procedure has gained immense popularity for its safety and ability to achieve 20/20 vision or even better. It can be performed on both eyes in the same session, allowing patients the convenience of improved bilateral vision correction and a faster return to daily activities.
How SILK Eye Surgery is Performed
The laser contact time in this surgery is hardly 16 seconds per eye. The whole procedure takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of how it works.
Comprehensive Eye Evaluation
Before the surgical intervention, patients need to undergo a thorough eye examination. The surgeon will take detailed measurements of the patient’s eye, which are used to program the ELITA femtosecond laser.
Anaesthesia
On the day of the procedure, the patient’s eyes are numbed with eye drops to ensure that they experience no pain throughout the surgery. Once the patient is comfortable, the surgeon places a soft suction ring to keep the eye in the correct position.
Laser Application
Using the femtosecond laser, the surgeon creates a small, precise disc-shaped lens (called the lenticule) in the cornea, which is customised to the patient’s vision correction needs.
Lenticule Removal
The surgeon makes a microscopic incision on the surface of the eye to delicately remove the lenticule. This changes the shape of the cornea, correcting the eye to see things.
What to Expect After the SILK Procedure?
One of the key advantages of SILK eye surgery is the faster recovery. In fact, patients can resume most of their daily activities as early as the second day after the operation.
The majority of the patients reported clear vision within a few hours after the procedure. This rapid improvement is one of the reasons patients are opting for the SILK procedure.
Medical reports also suggest that patients with refractive errors have achieved 99% clear bilateral vision within 3 months post-surgery.
Advantages of SILK Eye Surgery
The SILK eye surgery offers numerous advantages. Here are some of them.
Minimally invasive: Unlike other laser procedures, SILK does not require the creation of a corneal flap, which means less damage to the eye nerves.
High precision and accuracy: The use of advanced laser technology ensures accurate correction.
Enhanced comfort: The flapless nature of the SILK procedure causes minimal discomfort to the patients.
Next-day recovery: Patients are able to return to work and resume their daily activities on the very next day of the surgery.
Outstanding vision quality: The procedure results in exceptional eyesight outcomes, with patients achieving 20/20 vision or even better.
Post-Operative Dos and Don’ts After the SILK Procedure
The following are the guidelines that patients are required to follow for faster recovery.
Dos
- Wear protective eyewear like sunglasses for at least a month to protect the eyes from direct sun exposure.
- Avoid environmental dirt and debris from getting into the eyes. You can use goggles or shields as instructed by your doctor.
Don’ts
- Do not take a shower or wash your hair until the day after the surgery.
- Do not let water or soap get into your eyes for at least a week.
- Do not start exercising soon after the procedure.
- Do not wear eye makeup for at least a week.
- Do not get your hair coloured for at least 10 days.
Conclusion
If you are also considering SILK eye surgery, talk to an experienced ophthalmologist to determine if it’s the right procedure for you or not.
Susrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre is proud to offer SILK eye surgery to patients seeking safe, painless and efficient vision correction techniques. They have specialists who ensure that patients receive the best visual outcomes with the highest standard of care.