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Corneal surgery

Definition:

Corneal surgery corrects mild to moderate nearsightedness so you no longer need to wear glasses or contacts.

Alternative Names:

Nearsightedness surgery; Radial keratotomy; Refractive surgery; LASIK

Description:

The health care provider will place numbing drops into your eye so you do not feel pain during surgery.

The exact type of surgery done varies with each person. In many cases, the surgeon will use an instrument called a keratome to lift a piece of tissue from the surface of the cornea. A laser re-shapes the surface of the cornea and the tissue is put back into place.

This method of refractive surgery offers fewer side effects compared to radial keratotomy, which was common in the 1980's. Usually both eyes are done in the same session.

Indications:

Refractive surgery is used to treat nearsightedness so you no longer need to wear glasses or contact lenses. Procedures are also available to treat farsightedness and astigmatism.

References:

Yanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al. Ophthalmology . 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:127-132.

Schallhorn SC. Avoidance, recognition, and management of LASIK complications. Am J Ophthalmol . Apr 2006; 141(4): 733-9.

Radial keratotomy for myopia - series

Lasik eye surgery - series

Review Date: 2/22/2007
Reviewed By: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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