Refractive Surgery

What is Refractive Surgery?

Refractive surgery is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses by correcting common vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. These procedures reshape the eye's focusing system, allowing light to focus more precisely on the retina for clearer vision.

There are several types of refractive surgery available, and the best option depends on your prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and visual goals. A comprehensive evaluation is the first step in determining whether you are a good candidate.

Types of Refractive Surgery

Several procedures are available to correct refractive errors, including:

• LASIK: The most well-known refractive procedure, LASIK reshapes the cornea using a laser to improve vision with minimal discomfort and a quick recovery.

• PRK: Similar to LASIK, PRK uses a laser to reshape the cornea but does not require creating a corneal flap. It may be recommended for patients with thinner corneas or certain lifestyle considerations.

• SMILE: A minimally invasive laser procedure used to treat myopia and some cases of astigmatism by removing a small piece of corneal tissue through a tiny incision.

• Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL): For patients with higher prescriptions or those who may not be candidates for laser vision correction, an implantable lens can be placed inside the eye without removing the natural lens.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for refractive surgery if you:

• Are at least 18 years old

• Have had a stable glasses or contact lens prescription

• Have healthy eyes without significant disease

• Have realistic expectations about the results

• Wish to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses

Not everyone is a candidate, which is why a thorough eye examination is essential before considering surgery.

Your Refractive Surgery Evaluation

During your consultation, we perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine which procedure, if any, is right for you. Your assessment may include:

• A comprehensive eye examination

• Corneal topography to map the shape of your cornea

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), when appropriate, to evaluate retinal health

• Measurement of your prescription and pupil size

• Tear film evaluation to assess for dry eye

• Discussion of your lifestyle, occupation, and visual goals

These tests help ensure that refractive surgery can be performed safely and that the procedure selected is the best fit for your eyes.

What to Expect

Most refractive surgery procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and take only a short time to complete. Many patients notice improved vision within days, although recovery times vary depending on the procedure.

While refractive surgery can significantly reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, some patients may still need glasses for certain activities, especially reading later in life as part of the natural aging process.

Our Role in Your Care

We are committed to helping you make an informed decision about refractive surgery. If you're a good candidate, we'll discuss your options, answer your questions, and coordinate your care with a trusted refractive surgeon. We also provide your pre-operative evaluation and post-operative care to help ensure the best possible outcome for your vision.