Clear vision depends on how well the cornea and lens permit light rays to fall onto the retina. Light rays must be refracted (bent) to focus on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, which creates impulses from the light rays that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain.

If the cornea or eye shape is abnormal, vision can become blurry because light does not fall properly on the retina. Called a refractive error, an abnormal cornea shape can often be corrected by refractive eye surgery, which, in turn, corrects the vision problem. Refractive errors can include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (an irregularly shaped cornea which causes blurring), and presbyopia (similar to hyperopia, a condition which causes the lens to harden).

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means a person has trouble seeing clearly in the distance.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, means a person has trouble seeing clearly up close.

The goal of most refractive eye surgeries is to reduce or eliminate a person's dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses. Refractive eye surgery is not for everyone. One type of surgery may be more suitable for one person than another. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis and to discuss which type of surgery, if any, may be appropriate for you.

There are several types of corrective surgical procedures for refractive errors, including, but not limited to:

• laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery
• photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
• radial keratotomy (RK)
• astigmatic keratotomy (AK)
• automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK)

What is LASIK surgery?

LASIK, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, surgery is used to correct nearsightedness. When a person is nearsighted (myopic), his or her eye is too long or the cornea is too steep, resulting in too much focusing power. The light rays entering the eye come in focus before hitting the retina, resulting in blurry vision when looking in the distance. The procedure, which should be performed by a skilled eye surgeon, involves reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. LASIK is replacing many of the other refractive eye surgery techniques.

What is an excimer laser?

An excimer laser is controlled by a computer, allowing for precise cutting of the cornea. The excimer laser emits an ultraviolet, non-thermal (cold), invisible beam, which is so precise it can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in 12 billionths of a second, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The excimer laser has been used in photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and was approved for use in LASIK surgery by the FDA in 1998.

How is LASIK surgery performed?

Although each procedure varies slightly, in general, LASIK surgery involves using a computer-controlled excimer laser (a cold, ultraviolet laser) and a microkeratome (a surgical instrument). With these instruments, the surgeon cuts a flap in the center of the cornea to remove a thin layer of tissue. By removing the tissue, the cornea flattens, reducing the myopia. The flap, which is replaced without using sutures, adheres back to the cornea within minutes.

Recovery after LASIK surgery:

In most cases, recovery from LASIK surgery is fast and involves minimal discomfort. Mild pain relievers may be recommended by your surgeon to relieve discomfort during the first day after surgery. Patients typically take eyedrops for a week after the procedure.

Possible side effects of LASIK surgery:

Generally, LASIK has a high success rate. However, side effects do occur. The following are the most common side effects and complications. Each individual may experience side effects differently. Side effects may include:

• dry eyes (during the healing process)
• eye discomfort (mostly during the first 24 hours following surgery)
• irregular astigmatism, which can decrease the corrected vision (astigmatism means blurring caused by an irregularly shaped cornea)
• corneal haze or glare
• overcorrected or undercorrected vision
• inability to wear contact lenses in the future
• loss of the corneal flap, requiring a corneal graft
• scarring
• infection
• vision loss

Mountain Climbing and LASIK
People who have undergone LASIK surgery and who climb mountains in high altitudes may experience a temporary change in vision due to lack of oxygen, new research indicates. The study, published in Ophthalmology, the clinical journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, found that a lack of oxygen at high altitudes made distance vision blurry in people who have undergone LASIK surgery. However, the amount of vision changes is very small, according to the researchers. Mountain climbers who have undergone LASIK surgery may want to carry glasses to help with seeing in the distance. Consult your physician for more information.

Benefits of LASIK surgery:

For most candidates, LASIK surgery usually involves little pain and recovery is rapid. Other benefits may include:

• LASIK can correct a wide range of myopia, up to 15 diopters (unit of measurement of the refractive power of a lens).
• LASIK can be repeated to correct the vision further.
• The eyes stabilize between three and six months after LASIK surgery.
• The eye is not weakened, because only one flap is cut into the cornea.
• LASIK usually causes little or no scarring of the cornea.
• Post-operative care is usually limited to using eyedrops for a week after surgery.

What is photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery?

Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, uses the same excimer laser used in LASIK surgery and is performed to reshape the cornea in an attempt to correct mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness). According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), PRK has a 95 percent success rate. Only about 15 percent of patients need glasses, occasionally, following surgery.

How is PRK surgery performed?

Although each procedure varies slightly, in general, PRK surgery involves an excimer laser beam reshaping the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue from the outer surface. The procedure, which generally only takes a few minutes, uses a computer which maps the eye's surface and calculates the required corneal change.

Possible side effects of PRK surgery:

Generally, PRK surgery has a high success rate. However, side effects do occur. Because the corneal surface is cut, it takes several weeks to heal. In addition, there is some eye discomfort following the surgery that may last for several weeks. The following are the most common side effects and complications. Each individual may experience side effects differently. Side effects may include:

• mild corneal haze (following surgery)
• glare or halos around light (this side effect may be present for months following the procedure)

Who is a potential candidate for LASIK or PRK eye surgery?

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), potential candidates for corrective laser eye surgery must meet the following criteria. However, it is advised that potential candidates consult his/her physician before undergoing any type of corrective eye surgery. The criteria include:

• The candidate must be at least 21 years old if being treated with the Summit laser (one brand of excimer lasers), or 18 years old if being treated with the VISX laser (another brand of excimer lasers). This age requirement is necessary to ensure the eyes have finished growing.
• The candidate must have mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia).
• The candidate must be free of eye disease, problems with the retina, or scarring of the cornea.
• The candidate must have the financial ability to pay for this costly surgery, since insurance may not cover the procedure.
• The candidate must be aware of all the side effects, risks, and benefits of the surgery. Candidates should also be aware of the alternative treatment options available.

What is radial keratotomy(RK) surgery?

Radial keratotomy surgery, or RK, is a procedure also used to correct myopia (nearsightedness). The procedure involves making microscopic, radial incisions (keratotomies) in the cornea to alter the curvature of the cornea, thus, correcting light refraction. Hundreds of thousands of people who qualified for this type of surgery have undergone the procedure successfully since its introduction to the US in 1978.

How is RK surgery performed?

Although each procedure varies slightly, in general, RK surgery involves an eye surgeon cutting (with a calibrated diamond scalpel) radial or spoke-like incisions into the cornea outside of the center of the cornea (also called the optical zone, which is the area where a person sees through). Due to pressure inside the eye, the incisions cause the center, or optical zone, of the cornea to flatten, reducing refraction.

Possible side effects of RK surgery:

One main side effect of RK surgery is the excessive amount of time it takes for the cornea to heal (In some cases, healing takes weeks.). The following are the most common side effects and complications. Each individual may experience side effects differently. Side effects may include:

• a weakened cornea that can rupture
• increased risk of infection
• difficulty in fitting contact lenses, if needed
• discomfort
• glare around lights
• fluctuating vision during the first few months
• cataracts (a change in the structure of the crystalline lens that causes blurred vision)
• loss of vision

Benefits of RK surgery:

In most cases, RK has proven to be safe and effective for mild degrees of myopia.

What is astigmatic keratotomy (AK) surgery?

Astigmatic keratotomy (AK) is a surgical procedure, similar to radial keratotomy (RK), which is used to correct astigmatism (an irregularly shaped cornea which causes blurring). Instead of using a radial pattern of incisions, the surgeon makes the incisions in a curved pattern when performing AK surgery.

What is automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) surgery?

Automated lamellar keratoplasty, or ALK, is a surgical procedure that is mainly used for hyperopia (farsightedness) and severe cases of myopia (nearsightedness). A person with hyperopia has shorter-than-normal eyes, causing objects up close to look blurry.

How is ALK surgery performed?

Although each procedure varies slightly, in general, ALK surgery for myopia involves the surgeon cutting a flap across the front of the cornea with a microkeratome (surgical instrument). The flap is folded to the side and a thin slice of tissue is removed from the surface of the cornea. The removal of tissue flattens the central cornea, or optical zone, reducing refraction. The flap is then put back in place, where it adheres without sutures.

During ALK surgery for hyperopia, the surgeon makes a deeper incision into the cornea with the microkeratome (a surgical instrument) to create a flap. The internal pressure in the eye causes the corneal surface to stretch and bulge. The bulging cornea improves the optical power, correcting the hyperopia. The flap is then put back in place, where it adheres without sutures.

Possible side effects of ALK surgery:

The following are the most common side effects and complications. Each individual may experience side effects differently. Side effects may include:

• astigmatism (blurring caused by an irregularly shaped cornea)
• overcorrection or undercorrection
• inability to wear contact lenses after the procedure
• loss of the corneal flap, requiring a corneal graft
• scarring
• infection
• vision loss
• glare

How to prepare for refractive eye surgery:

Most refractive eye surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, with most procedures lasting less than one hour in duration. In preparation for surgery, you may be asked to:

• arrange for someone to drop you off and pick you up again after surgery.
• not wear your contact lenses for a period of time before surgery, to prevent corneal warpage.
• not wear eye make-up for a couple of days before surgery.

What to expect during surgery:

Although each procedure varies slightly, in general, refractive eye surgery involves minimal discomfort. The eye is usually numbed with eye drops prior to surgery. While in surgery, you may also:

• stay awake during the procedure.
• your eye may be kept open with an eye speculum (a spring-like device between the eyelids).

Specific events that occur during surgery vary depending on the type of surgery performed.

Recovering from surgery:

Recovery times vary depending on the surgery, but can last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months. The following are some common symptoms following surgery. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms following surgery may include:

• sensitivity to light
• blurry vision
• minor discomfort
• dry eyes