What is a Refractive Procedure?
December 16th, 2024
Do you want to enjoy sharp, clear vision without the need for contacts or glasses? Refractive procedures, also called vision correction procedures, are some of the most popular elective surgeries in the United States.
These outpatient surgeries are safe, effective solutions to common vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Keep reading to learn more about what refractive procedures are and which one could be right for you!
What Are Refractive Procedures?
Refractive procedures refer to any surgical procedure intended to improve your visual acuity. Most refractive procedures can address common vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
They can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts, giving you crisp, sharp vision from the moment you open your eyes in the morning until you go to bed. Some of the most common refractive procedures include:
LASIK
LASIK is probably the best-known refractive procedure. Millions of people have undergone this safe, effective procedure for improving vision.
During LASIK, your eye doctor opens a flap of tissue on the surface of your eyes. This allows them to use laser tools to carefully reshape the cornea and improve vision.
After reshaping the cornea, they close the flap, which heals over the course of several weeks. Vision improvements are noticeable within a few days of the procedure and stabilize after about six weeks.
EVO ICL
The EVO ICL involves placing an implantable collamer lens in your eye that can correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. Your eye doctor makes a small incision, carefully inserts the ICL, and adjusts it to the right position.
The EVO ICL can’t be seen or felt once it’s in place. The EVO ICL can be removed, making this the only reversible type of refractive procedure.
LASEK
Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis, or LASEK, is another type of refractive surgery. It differs from LASIK in how your surgeon reaches the cornea.
Instead of making a flap in the out tissue of the eye, your surgeon will use a solution to loosen the tissue and then move it aside. They then reshape the cornea before moving the tissue back into place.
LASEK is a better choice than LASIK for people with thin corneas, a history of dry eyes, or people at risk of disrupting the flap from LASIK due to extreme sports or highly physical job duties.
PRK
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a refractive surgery that is an alternative to LASIK. LASIK and LASEK both involve moving the tissue on the outer layer of the eye, while PRK involves your eye doctor using a chemical solution to gently dissolve the outer tissue of the eye.
After reshaping the cornea, your eye doctor will place a contact lens bandage over your eye to protect it while the tissue grows back. PRK is a good choice for people with thin corneas who still want to enjoy the benefits of a refractive procedure.
Am I a Good Candidate for Refractive Procedures?
While each refractive procedure has its own unique candidacy requirements, signs they could be right for you include:
- You are 18 or older, and 22 or older for EVO ICL
- Your vision has been stable for at least one year or more
- You do not have eye conditions like glaucoma or cataracts
- You do not have autoimmune conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
- You want to enjoy visual freedom from glasses and contacts
- You have realistic expectations about the visual outcomes of refractive procedures
When you attend a consultation with your eye doctor at Laser Eye Center, they will review the candidacy requirements for each procedure with you and make a recommendation based on your medical history, vision needs, and lifestyle about which refractive procedure is right for you.
Do you want to explore your options for refractive procedures? Schedule an appointment at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!
