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Ophthalmology guides
20 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in Ophthalmology, with clinical review status shown on each page.
Cataract surgery (Cataract extraction with intraocular lens implant (phacoemulsification))A common operation to remove the eye's cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens to restore clearer vision.Corneal cross-linking (for keratoconus) (Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL))A procedure that uses vitamin B2 (riboflavin) drops and ultraviolet light to stiffen the cornea and slow or stop keratoconus from getting worse.Corneal transplant (Corneal transplantation (keratoplasty))An operation to replace a cloudy, scarred or misshapen cornea, or part of it, with healthy donor tissue to improve sight, relieve pain or treat damage.Cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) (Cosmetic blepharoplasty)Cosmetic surgery to remove or reposition excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids for a fresher, less tired look, usually done by an oculoplastic or plastic surgeon.Droopy eyelid surgery (ptosis correction) (ptosis correction (levator advancement, Müller's muscle resection, or brow suspension))Surgery to lift an upper eyelid that droops, usually by tightening or repositioning the muscle that raises the lid, to clear the vision and even up the eyes.Eyelid cyst / chalazion removal (incision and curettage of a chalazion (meibomian cyst))A small procedure to drain and scrape out a blocked, swollen oil gland in the eyelid (a chalazion or meibomian cyst) that has not settled on its own.Glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy) (Trabeculectomy (glaucoma filtration surgery))An operation to lower the pressure inside the eye in glaucoma, by creating a new drainage channel so fluid can leave the eye more easily and protect the optic nerve.Implantable contact lens (ICL) (Phakic intraocular lens implantation)An elective operation that places a thin lens permanently inside the eye, in front of your own natural lens, to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses.Injections for macular degeneration (anti-VEGF) (Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration)Regular injections into the eye that aim to control wet age-related macular degeneration and protect central vision, usually needing repeat treatment over a long period.LASEK / PRK laser eye surgery (Surface laser ablation (photorefractive keratectomy / laser epithelial keratomileusis))An elective 'surface' laser operation that reshapes the front of the eye without making a flap, to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses.Laser eye surgery (LASIK) (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK))An elective laser operation that reshapes the front of the eye (cornea) to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses.Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (Retinal laser photocoagulation (panretinal and focal/macular laser) for diabetic retinopathy)Laser treatment to the back of the eye that aims to protect the sight of people with diabetic eye disease by sealing or shrinking abnormal blood vessels.Macular hole surgery (Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peel and gas tamponade for full-thickness macular hole)Keyhole surgery to close a small gap in the centre of the retina (the macula) and improve distorted, blurred central vision.Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) (Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (e.g. trabecular micro-bypass stent))A group of small, keyhole procedures to lower eye pressure in milder glaucoma, often done at the same time as cataract surgery.Pterygium removal (Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft)An eye operation to remove a pterygium — a fleshy growth that spreads from the white of the eye onto the cornea — usually replacing the gap with a small graft of the eye's own surface tissue to reduce regrowth.Retinal detachment surgery (Surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (vitrectomy, scleral buckle or pneumatic retinopexy))An urgent eye operation to put a detached retina back against the wall of the eye and seal the tear, to try to save your sight.Squint (strabismus) surgery (Strabismus surgery (extraocular muscle surgery))An operation that adjusts the muscles that move the eye, to straighten a squint (turned eye) and help the eyes work better together.Tear duct surgery (DCR) (Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR))An operation to treat a blocked tear duct by making a new drainage channel from the tear sac into the nose, used mainly for a persistently watery or infected eye.Vitrectomy (Pars plana vitrectomy)Keyhole eye surgery that removes the jelly inside the eye so the surgeon can treat problems at the back of the eye, such as the retina or macula.Watery eye treatment (treatment of epiphora (watering eye))Treatment to reduce a persistently watering eye, after finding the cause, ranging from drops and minor procedures to surgery that creates a new tear-drainage channel.
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