Laser Vision Correction: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences: UI Health Care

Laser Vision Correction

What is laser vision correction?

The goal of laser vision correction is to reduce dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses for vision needs. Laser Vision Correction uses a controlled beam of light to accomplish this. It may allow you to function without glasses or contact lens for many activities.

LASIK

(Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis), combines the use of an instrument called a microkeratome to create a flap of cornea tissue which is lifted up while the laser is used to reshape the underlying surface. This procedure is able to treat a higher degree of myopia than PRK.

Photorefractive Keratectomy

PRK involves laser surgery to treat mild to moderate myopia. The laser uses a computerized and controlled beam of light to reshape the central cornea by removing small amounts of tissue.

$Photorefractive Keratectomy$

Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments

(ICRS) or Intacs is a procedure in which two segments of a clear plastic ring are placed into the peripheral cornea. This effectively flattens the cornea to correct myopia without direct surgery to the optical zone. This procedure is available for low levels of myopia (-1.00 to -3.50 diopters).

Last modification date: Tue Aug 1 09:43:53 2006
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/med/ophthalmology/refractivesugery/whatissurgery.html