Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
Alternative names Return to top
Nearsightedness surgery; Radial keratotomy; Refractive surgeryDefinition Return to top
Corneal surgery corrects mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia). Newer procedures are also available for farsightedness and astigmatism.Description Return to top
Topical anesthesia (numbing eye drops) is used. The ophthalmic surgeon may use an instrument called a keratome to lift a flap of tissue from the surface of the cornea. Then a laser is used to re-shape the surface of the cornea and the flap is replaced into the original position.
The procedure is usually painless and the improvement in unaided vision is usually immediate. The patient can quickly return to most activities, but must avoid bumping the eye or submerging in water (swimming, for example) to avoid dislodging the flap.
This method of refractive surgery offers fewer side effects compared to radial keratotomy, which was common in the 1980's. Usually both eyes are done in the same session.
Indications Return to top
The guideline for refractive surgery is the desire to treat nearsightedness so corrective lenses will no longer be necessary. Most forms of nearsightedness can be reliably corrected.Risks Return to top
General anesthesia is not used. The cornea has no blood vessels and bleeding does not occur.
However, after surgery some patients experience the following symptoms:
Expectations after surgery Return to top
Long-range follow-up studies of people who have had the procedure indicate that nearly 90% will see close to 20/20 without glasses. Approximately 10% reported partially corrected vision with a continuing need for glasses or contact lenses. One percent experienced serious complications which permanently decreased the vision.
For those older patients who needed bifocals before surgery, reading glasses will still be needed even though distance vision may be clear without glasses.
Convalescence Return to top
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis. It takes only a short time, with the person under local anesthesia. Protective glasses may be worn for several days, although full recovery can take several months. Update Date: 9/10/2003 Updated by: Edward B. Feinberg, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |