Vision correction surgery has become a very common operation in the field of ophthalmology and surgery, but can vision correction surgery be performed on diabetics or not?  

Are diabetics allowed to undergo vision correction surgery? 

Yes, a number of doctors agree to perform vision correction surgery on diabetic patients, but there are some conditions that must be met in order for diabetics to be able to undergo this procedure.

In the past, many doctors did not prefer to undergo surgery on diabetic patients, but now with the advancement of technology and the development of equipment, this has changed. 

A diabetic patient is eligible to undergo the operation, if any يلي:

• The patient must not have cataracts.
• The A1C level must be appropriate.
• The patient does not suffer from glaucoma.
• The patient controls his blood sugar level well.
• The patient does not suffer from diabetic retinopathy.
• The patient must have been living with diabetes for at least two years.
• Approval must be obtained from the treating physician for diabetes.

If a person fulfills all these conditions, it becomes possible to perform vision correction surgery for diabetics 

Eye complications of diabetes 

Diabetes affects the eye, and diabetic patients may need to undergo vision correction surgery, and the complications are divided to me:

• Retinal complications: It is one of the most common complications, as chronic high blood sugar leads to diabetic retinopathy.
• Epithelial changes:  The corneal epithelium is affected by diabetes and develops deformities that subsequently cause delayed recovery rates after vision correction surgery in a diabetic patient. These changes are widespread in about (60-80%) of diabetic patients, especially those who have other complications of the disease.
• Endothelial changes:  In some cases, high blood sugar leads to morphological changes in the corneal lining, and the percentage of hexagonal cells decreases, and then the density of the cells decreases, so interference occurs between them and the excess fluid leaks into the corneal stroma, leading to major eye problems.

Diabetics may also suffer from dry eyes.

• Superficial punctate keratopathy.
• Repeated corneal abrasion.
• Corneal ulcers. 

Types of laser operations

There are differences in the types of laser operations, including: الآتي:

• Traditional LASIK procedure

It is the most common type, in which an incision is made in the cornea and the surface layer of the cornea is raised, after which vision is corrected using a laser. This process is used in cases of treating myopia and aberrational errors.

• Surface LASIK (PRK) procedure

 It is similar to the original technique of laser eye surgery, in which the surface layer of the cornea is removed using a laser. This process is used in cases of treating myopia and minor aberration errors.

• Femto-LASIK procedure

It is a process in which the femto laser is used to create a precise incision in the cornea, after which vision is corrected using a laser. This process is used in cases of treating myopia and aberrational errors.

• Femto-SMILE process

It is a process in which the femto laser is used to create a precise incision in the cornea, after which the doctor uses a fine surgical scalpel to extract a small part of the cornea. This process is used in cases of treating myopia and aberrational errors.

Frequently asked questions

How much do vision correction surgeries cost?

Before knowing whether vision correction surgery can be performed on diabetics, we will discuss some topics about vision correction operations. 

The vision correction procedure, known as LASIK, means correcting the curvature of the cornea using a laser, and it is one of the most common vision correction procedures around the world. 

Through the LASIK procedure, the shape of the cornea, the front part of the eye, is corrected using special laser beams that help correct  defects in vision and vision reflexes. 

Reasons for performing LASIK surgery include: ما يلي:

• nearsightedness.
• Farsightedness.
• Astigmatism, which causes confusion and blurry vision. 
• Cosmetic reasons: For people who do not like to wear glasses or contact lenses.
• Doing sports activities that interfere with wearing glasses or contact lenses.

As for the answer to the question about the cost or prices of vision correction surgery, there is no direct answer that specifies the prices of vision correction surgery, because it depends on several factors, for example: 

• Efficiency of the eye center or hospital. 
• Ophthalmologist experience. 
• The availability and sophistication of surgical instruments.

The prices for vision correction surgery in Saudi Arabia vary from one clinic or hospital to another, and the reason for the price difference is due to several things, including:

• Experience and skill of the surgeon.
• The type of operation, the type of device used and the technology used.
• The extent of readiness or development of the place where the operation is performed.

Does vision return 6 6 after laser surgery?

 The LASIK process depends on modifying the shape of the transparent front part of the eye, which is the cornea, which contributes to refracting the light falling on the eye so that it collects at one point on the retina, which ultimately leads to the appearance of a clear image of objects.

By modifying the shape of the cornea, vision can return to 6/6 after the operation. In general, vision improves gradually during the first weeks after the operation, blurry vision disappears, and vision returns to 6/6. 

This improvement in vision continues for a period of time, but it does not last a lifetime, as the duration of the results of LASIK operations varies between people

You should pay attention to some disturbing symptoms that appear after the first 24 hours of the operation, for example Example:

• Dry eyes.
• Burning sensation inside the eye.
• Desire to itch and rub the eyes.
• Blurred vision.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Seeing glare, especially when driving at night.
• Difficulty with night vision.

In some cases, the symptoms persist for a long period of time, which in some cases may reach 6 or 12 months, but there is no need to worry. They are normal symptoms after the operation and do not mean the operation failed. 

Some symptoms, such as dry eyes, can be overcome by using lubricating drops for a specific period, and to maintain the results of the operation and reduce side effects, some important instructions must be followed, منها:

• Maintain rest for the first 24 hours after the operation, and do not remove the bandage.
• Commitment to wearing sunglasses during the first weeks after the operation, as the eyes become more sensitive to dust and sunlight.
• Avoid swimming.
• Do not use hot water in the shower or go to enclosed places filled with hot steam.
• Do not let soap and water come into contact with the eyes.
• Avoid wearing eye makeup during the first period after the operation.
• Avoid exposure to dust and smoke.
• Do not rub the eye, to avoid moving the cornea from its place, which is a problem that requires repeating the procedure again, and the price of the operation doubles in that case.
• Avoid driving at night for a period of time after the operation.
• Stop exercising for several days after the operation, and wait for a period of not less than 4 weeks before returning to vigorous physical activities.

But it is worth noting that the result of the laser procedure is affected by aging.

What is the appropriate age for vision correction surgery?

In addition to age, there are some other conditions that make the patient eligible to undergo the LASIK procedure. People who want to undergo the vision correction procedure must have the following specifications: التالية:

• The patient must be at least 18 years old.
• The patient's vision must be stable for a year. 

The doctor may advise the patient not to undergo vision correction surgery if: the patient:

• Has uncontrolled diabetes or rheumatism.
• He has  immune system diseases. 
• He has keratoconus.
• Suffering from high eye pressure or cyanosis.
• He suffers from constant dry eyes.
• He suffers from severe myopia.

The doctor must also evaluate the condition before undergoing the laser procedure through several procedures, مثل:

•  Corneal thickness measurement.
• Refraction examination.
• Corneal mapping.
• Eye pressure check.

In conclusion, the laser vision correction process has many positives, as it is a relatively quick process, the appearance of its results and recovery from it is also quick, and it is generally safe.

The laser process does not require any surgical stitches, in addition, it is an ideal alternative to prescription glasses and contact lenses. 

In general, the general condition of the diabetic patient affects the success rate of the surgery, and the doctor alone is the one who determines the possibility of undergoing this surgery. If you are thinking about having the operation, you need to consult with a doctor specialized and skilled in eye medicine and surgery and LASIK. 

 The eye center is in Al Mousa Specialist Hospital It is one of the largest and leading eye centers in performing eye surgeries using advanced medical technologies and modern devices for diagnosis and treatment.

Do not hesitate to make the decision to improve your vision. You can book an appointment now for a consultation and inquire about everything related to the vision correction process for diabetics.