Refractive surgery

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Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery (/rɪˈfræktɪv ˈsɜːrdʒəri/) is a type of eye surgery used to improve the refractive state of the eye and decrease or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses. This can include various methods of surgical remodeling of the cornea or cataract surgery.

Etymology

The term "refractive surgery" is derived from the word "refraction," which in the field of optics refers to the bending of light as it passes through one medium to another. In this case, it refers to the bending of light as it enters the eye and is focused onto the retina.

Types of Refractive Surgery

There are several types of refractive surgery, including:

  • LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
  • PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
  • LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy)
  • SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
  • RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange)

Each of these procedures involves reshaping the cornea or replacing the natural lens of the eye to improve vision.

Risks and Complications

Like all surgical procedures, refractive surgery carries potential risks and complications. These can include undercorrections, overcorrections, astigmatism, dry eye syndrome, and loss of vision. It is important for patients to discuss these risks with their ophthalmologist before deciding to undergo refractive surgery.

Related Terms

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