What is Refractive Surgery?
Refractive surgery includes any procedure designed to treat the refractive errors myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. There are a number of refractive surgery treatments currently on the market; however, the techniques employed can vary greatly. Procedures such as LASIK, PRK, and LASEK involve corneal ablation through use of an excimer laser. During these procedures, the cornea is reshaped to improve visual acuity. The insertion of implantable contact lenses replaces the natural lens of the eye, providing patients with clearer vision.

Check out our myopia treatment, hyperopia treatment, and astigmatism treatment pages to find out which procedures are specifically designed to correct each type of refractive error. To learn more about refractive surgery treatments in general, read the sections below.

The Benefits of Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgery has a tremendous impact on people’s lives. Benefits are apparent in many ways.

Some refractive problems cannot be corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses. In other cases, corrective lenses can be worn but with extreme difficulty. For these people, refractive surgery provides a way to clear vision without battling with visual aids.

Occupational
There are a number of jobs such as flying, firefighting, and police department work that require workers to obtain a high standard of visual acuity without visual aids. Refractive surgery is certainly a solution that would allow such people freedom to pursue the career of their choice without otherwise being restricted by their vision. It is important to understand that individual professional organizations have their own policies on refractive surgery. Anyone who is considering corrective surgery should consult with their potential employer(s) before making a decision. This ensures that surgical correction and intervention is acceptable.

With little or no dependence on glasses or contact lenses, most sports activities are greatly enhanced. No longer does one have to battle with glasses under ski goggles, losing a contact lens while swimming, or spectacles slipping down during a tennis match. Many even find their central and peripheral vision improves, and participation in sports previously found not to be feasible becomes possible.