By Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI), you can improve your vision and keep your eyes safe from the harmful effects of astigmatism. Let’s understand what is LRI and how its surgery is carried out.

The external coating of the eye can be classified into three regions: retina, sclera, and the limbus. The cornea is the transparent part, or the window, which covers the iris and the pupil, whereas sclera is the white region of the eye. The limbus is the lean area which connects the cornea and the sclera.

Limbal relaxing incisions (LRI) alter the shape of the eye’s cornea. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not perfectly round, resulting in double or blurring pictures if not corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Basically, a cornea with astigmatism is shaped more like a football rather than a basketball. Limbal relaxing incisions, put on the far outer edge of the cornea (the limbus), resulting in a round shape that renders better, sharper vision, reducing patients’ dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

LRIs are effective in treating low to moderate degrees of astigmatism. The surgeon makes some relaxing incisions in the limbus, which allows the cornea to be curved or rounded when it heals. LRIs are put at the edge of the cornea (in the limbus) about the steepest meridians. It is usually combined with other surgical and laser vision correction procedures along with cataract operation.

Here’s What You Can Expect On Surgery Day

One the day of your surgery, once you have been checked in you might be given a sedative that will assist you to relax. Then you will be prepared for surgery. Following are some steps that may follow:

• The area around the eyes will be cleaned and a sterile drape may be applied around your eye.

• Anesthetic eye drops will be used to numb your eyes no injections or needles will be utilized.

• If your eye is completely numb, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to prevent you from blinking during the procedure.

Next, temporary marks will be made on the limbus. These impressions are based upon a formula, which takes into account your prescription, age and the amount of correction required. Next, tiny arc-shaped incisions will be made in your limbus. Finally, the eyelid holder will be removed and antibiotic drops are applied. The actual surgery takes about 5 minutes however along with pre-operative training, it may take around an hour.

Following the procedure, you will be given additional eye drops, and your eye may be shielded for protection. Your vision will most likely be a little blurry at first, therefore you must relax for rest of the day. You may experience some uneasiness, but it can be dealt with some prescribed pain relievers. After the procedure, some people experience sensitivity to light and witness watering or swelling of their eyes for a couple of days. If such cases persist, consult your ophthalmologist.

Every individual heals differently, but most patients resume normal activities the following day. Some patients notice a dramatic improvement in their vision from the very first day. For others, vision may be blurry for several weeks.