Vision without glasses and contact lenses

There are several procedures to correct focusing problems and eliminate or reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Current treatments - Please view specific site for information.

LASIK: FDA approved laser treatment in which a laser removes a minute portion of the central cornea under a protective cap of corneal tissue

INTACS: FDA approved technique of corneal ring implants to reshape the cornea

CK (Conductive Keratoplasty): an FDA approved treatmet using radiofrequency waves to correct distance vision in far-sighted eyes and to restore reading for many others.

Other surgical treatments

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or "no-touch" vision correction. PRK is similar to LASIK except that all phases of the treatment are done with the laser. Instead of creating a flap as in LASIK the surface cells are removed with the laser, then the laser reshapes the cornea. Since there is no flap of tissue to cover the treated area, the surrounding cells must grow in back over the treated area. Healing in terms of comfort and vision return is slower than with LASIK. In LASIK the flap immediately covers the area of treatment so the healing is faster and easier. The long term vision results of LASIK and PRK are similar.

Laser-PRK vision correction

Click on the picture to see full size

Click on the picture to see full size

Radial Keratotomy (RK) - Radial incisions in cornea

Radial and astigmatic keratotomy (RK and AK) are older methods of reshaping the cornea using incisions. These techniques enjoyed great popularity and success before the LASIK procedure became the treatment most preferred. AK is still occasionally useful.

Click on the picture to see full size   Evolution of refractive surgery