 Phillips Eye InstituteRefractive surgeryReduce or eliminate the need for contacts and eyeglassesInterested in LASIK or another laser vision correction surgery? 
The goal of refractive surgery, also called laser vision correction, is to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and other eye conditions.
Which surgery is right for me?You should first meet with a eye surgeon who can:
Once you agree on the procedure, the surgeon will give instructions for everything from preparing for the surgery to recovery. 
NearsightednessNearsightedness is when the eyes focus incorrectly, making distant objects appear blurred. Learn more about nearsightedness in our health encyclopedia.
LASIKLASIK is eye surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the clear covering on the front of the eye) in order to improve vision and reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
PresbyopiaPresbyopia is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see objects up close. LASIK and PRK for nearsightednessThe most well-known types of refractive surgery -- laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) -- both correct nearsightedness. The procedures take about 15 minutes and are relatively painless. Most patients are able to return to work the next day. LASIK and PRK both utilize the excimer laser and rely on advanced computer technology to program the equipment for each patient's specific prescription to achieve the best results. In order to view the content, you must install the Adobe Flash Player. Please click here to get started.
LASIKTo perform LASIK, the surgeon creates a flap in the cornea using either femtosecond laser or a special tool, called a microkeratome. This flap is folded back and the excimer laser is then used to vaporize the some of the corneal tissue beneath to reshape the cornea. The time it takes the laser to remove tissue depends on the patient's prescription. A higher prescription requires more time. The cornea is then folded back into position to complete the procedure. Only the edge of the thin layer of corneal tissue needs to heal. The return of vision is rapid and patients do not experience very much post-operative discomfort or pain. Phillips Eye Institute also offers laser-only, or bladeless, LASIK. Instead of using the microkeratome, or blade, the surgeon uses a high energy laser to cut the thin layer of cornea before folding it back. Both procedures, whether using a blade or using the laser only technique, are equally safe and effective. PRKSometimes referred to as advanced surface ablation (ASA), PRK was the original vision correction procedure to use the excimer laser. Since its FDA approval in 1995, the excimer laser has undergone several technological improvements. With PRK, the laser is applied directly to the cornea and removes the surface layer of corneal cells in order to reach the stromal layer of the cornea. A gentle brush-like instrument, chemicals, the laser or other tools are then used to remove the cells. At the end of surgery, a soft contact lens, which works as a bandage, is placed on the eye and the patient is given eye drops. Over the next 3 to 7 days, the corneal surface cells regenerate, and the contact is removed. Vision improves soon after the contact is removed. It may take three to six months to achieve maximum vision. Patients should wait one to two weeks between having PRK done on the second eye.
NearsightednessNearsightedness is when the eyes focus incorrectly, making distant objects appear blurred. Learn more about nearsightedness in our health encyclopedia.
LASIKLASIK is eye surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the clear covering on the front of the eye) in order to improve vision and reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. Source: Phillips Eye Institute Reviewed by: Emmett Carpel, MD First Published: 05/10/2010 Last Reviewed: 05/10/2010 Conductive keratoplasty (CK) for farsightedness or presbyopiaPatients who are farsighted or who have presbyopia, a condition in which the eye's natural lens has lost the ability to focus at near, middle and far ranges at the same time can benefit from conductive keratoplasty (CK). In order to view the content, you must install the Adobe Flash Player. Please click here to get started.
CK takes about 15 minutes.
Patients with presbyopia receive the CK treatment in only one eye. The treated eye is corrected to be able to focus on near ranges while the untreated eye sees the middle and distant ranges. After the procedure, patients are comfortable, but may experience slight nearsightedness and sensitivity to bright light for about a week.
PresbyopiaPresbyopia is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see objects up close.
AstigmatismAstigmatism is an eye disorder in which the cornea (the clear tissue covering the front of the eye) is abnormally curved, causing out-of-focus vision. Source: Phillips Eye Institute Reviewed by: Emmett Carpel, MD First Published: 05/10/2010 Last Reviewed: 05/10/2010 To speak with someone about selecting a LASIK surgeon, Laser vision correction surgeonsThese credentialed ophthalmologists perform refractive surgery at Phillips Eye Institute. |
