Refractive Surgery

[Refractive Problems] | [Refractive Eye Surgery] | [Refractive Solutions] | [Types of Refractive Surgeries] | [Excimer Laser Surgery]

What are refractive problems?

Light is focused, or refacted, by the cornea, the clear front "window" of the eye. Your vision is clear if the cornea and lens combine to focus an image precisely on the retina. The retina is the inner layer of the eye that senses light and helps you see.

Your vision is blurred if the cornea, lens and eye length place the image in front of the retina. This is known as myopia or nearsightedness.

If the cornea is not round (like a basketball), but instead has unequal curves (like a football), the image is distorted. This is called astigmatism. An eye with astigmatism may have mypoia as well.

What is Refractive Eye Surgery?

Refractive surgery includes several surgical techniques designed to improve problems in focusing the eyes, also known as refractive problems. Until recently only glasses or contact lenses could correct refractive problems.

Refractive Solutions

Refractive problems such as myopia and astigmatism are solved by helping the eye focus light using glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. Refractive surgery techniques aim to change the eye's focus by changing theshape of the cornea in various ways:

The surgeon makes an exact pattern of incisions in the cornea;
The surgeon sculpts the cornea nto a new shape by removing tissue with an automated blade (keratome) or laser;
The surgeon inserts man-made materials on or within the cornea to change its shape.

Types of Refractive Surgeries

Radial keratotomy is an operation to improve myopia by changing the curvature of the cornea over the pupil. Using a microscope and microscopic instruments, the surgeon makes several deep incisions (keratotomies) in the cornea in a radial, or spoke-like pattern. The operation takes less than 30 minutes and is usually performed using eye drops to anesthetize the cornea.
Photorefractive keratectomy is a surgical process whereby the Excimer laser is employed to sculpt the surface of the cornea using invisible, high-energy light. The patient's cornea is again anesthetized with eye drops, and, as no surgical blades are used, the entire procedure usually takes about 15 minutes.

Excimer Laser Surgery

Since the introduction of the Excimer laser, hundreds of thousands of treatments have been successfully completed worldwide. To date, over 94% of mild to moderate nearsighted patients are able to see clearly without their glasses or contact lenses. People with higher degrees of nearsightedness have also seen marked improvements in their sight, and many can now drive without glasses or contacts.

Why you should consider the Excimer Laser

Many people find their leisure activities are limited by their need for glasses or contact lenses. After excimer treatment, many people have found the freedom to pursue an active lifestyle including swimming, tennis, skiing and golf. Others have found glasses and contact lenses limited their pursuit of careers in law enforcement, flying, or fire fighting. To have a sharper outlook on life, call New Ulm Eye Center for a no obligation consultation or for additional information.

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