refractive surgery

See a Clearer World With Refractive Surgery

Refractive eye surgery is an elective procedure (in most cases) intended to correct very common eye disorders (known as refractive errors) such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (distorted vision). Although there are numerous techniques being performed today to correct refractive errors, laser refractive correction has quickly become the most technologically advanced method of vision correction available today. Ophthalmologists claim it allows for an unparalleled degree of precision and predictability.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved what is called an “excimer laser” in October 1995 for correcting mild to moderate nearsightedness. When the laser was approved, it was restricted for use only by practitioners trained both in laser refractive surgery and in the calibration and operation of the laser. Excimer lasers are approved for use in LASIK (laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy).

PRK and Future Vision

PRK is an outpatient procedure that is generally performed with only local anesthetic eye drops. This surgery reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue from the outer surface with a cool, computer-controlled ultraviolet beam of light. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and patients are typically back to their normal routine in one to three days.

According to FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, clinical studies showed that about 5 percent of patients continued to always need glasses following PRK for distance, and up to 15 percent needed glasses occasionally, such as when driving. Some patients experience glare and halos around lights, but these conditions usually diminish or disappear in most patients after six months.

LASIK and Its Advantages

LASIK is actually more complex of a procedure than PRK and is performed for all degrees of nearsightedness. A knife called a microkeratome is used to cut flap of corneal tissue, and the surgeon then removes the targeted tissue beneath it with the laser. The flap is then replaced. For LASIK, it is crucial that you find an experienced eye surgeon who has performed this surgery thousands of times.

The advantages of LASIK include:

· It’s a suitable procedure for correcting the most severe refractive errors.

· Faster recovery time after LASIK than PRK

· LASIK patients can see well enough to drive immediately and have good vision within a week

About the Author

To learn more about refractive surgery of the eye, please visit the website of the 20/20 Institute of Denver and Indianapolis today.

is it normal after refractive surgery that one pupil dilates more than the other?

it’s not totally abnormal,but have you been to the surgeon for followup since the surgery and told the dr? that should be the first thing you do.if the surgery was within the last 60 days or so,it will be considered follow-up at no charge usualasikhave it checked out!

St. Louis LASIK | Refractive Surgery in St. Louis