Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery includes procedures to reduce problems with vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. All refractive procedures are intended to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. With their ability to improve your vision and your lifestyle, refractive surgery is considered one of the most exciting and advanced ophthalmology today.

The type of refractive surgery that best suits your needs depends on various factors such as:

aec type of refractive error you have
aec The extent of the problem
aec your general health
aec your age
aec your expectations

Common procedures of refractive surgery include:

aec LASIK surgery
aec epithelial-LASIK (or EPI-LASIK)
aec The Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA). This includes procedures known as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK)
aec conductive keratoplasty (CK)
Phakic intraocular lenses aec (IOL)

LASIK

LASIK is a laser procedure to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In LASIK surgery, your ophthalmologist using a highly specialized tool to make a thin flap of the cornea. The excimer laser is applied under the corneal flap. The flap is then replaced and allowed to heal. No stitches are required. LASIK results in improved vision almost immediately.

Epi-LASIK

Epi-LASIK (Epithelial LASIK) is a refractive surgery procedure used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Epi-LASIK is very similar to LASIK, except that the Epi-LASIK is used for patients with thin corneas, which are otherwise not candidates for conventional LASIK procedure.

Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA)

Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is a refractive surgery technique used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With ASA, the outermost layer of the cornea is removed to expose the intermediate layer. A computer-controlled excimer laser then reshapes the front surface of this layer. The outer layer cornea is then replaced or assisted in healing back on the surface of the cornea under a contact lens bandage. ASA is generally recommended instead of LASIK for people with thin corneas. ASA procedures include photorefractive keratectomy ( PRK ) and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).

Conductive keratoplasty (CK)

CK is a non-invasive procedure in refractive surgery to correct mild to moderate farsightedness in people over 40 years. With CK, your ophthalmologist uses a tiny probe releases controlled amounts of radio frequency energy, instead of a laser to apply heat to the periphery of the cornea. The heat then causes the peripheral cornea to shrink and tighten. This increases the curvature of the central cornea, and the optical power of the central cornea, improving vision.

Phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs)
Phakic IOLs are designed for people with a high degree of refractive errors that can not be safely corrected with refractive surgery more traditional. ILI, sometimes called an implantable contact lens is surgically implanted in the eye in front of the eye's natural lens.