Refractive Surgery

What is Refractive Surgery?

Refractive surgery refers to a range of surgical procedures designed to improve vision by correcting refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. These procedures reshape the cornea or replace the eye’s natural lens to focus light properly on the retina. Common types of refractive surgery include LASIK, PRK, ICL, and RLE. Each option is tailored to individual needs, based on factors like corneal thickness, prescription, and eye health. Refractive surgery offers long-lasting vision improvement, often reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses, and is a life-changing option for those seeking freedom from visual aids.

Tyson Eye offers all four of these refractive surgery options. 

LASIK

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular eye surgery designed to correct common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It reshapes the cornea—the clear front surface of the eye—using a precise laser, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina for improved vision. The procedure is quick, typically taking 10-15 minutes per eye, and offers rapid recovery with minimal discomfort. Most patients experience significant vision improvement within a day or two. LASIK is a safe and effective alternative to glasses or contact lenses, providing long-lasting results and enhanced quality of life for suitable candidates.

LASIK Surgery

PRK

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a laser eye surgery that corrects vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It involves reshaping the cornea to improve how light focuses on the retina, enhancing vision. Unlike LASIK, PRK removes the thin outer layer of the cornea (epithelium), which regenerates naturally during recovery. This makes PRK an excellent option for patients with thin corneas or other conditions unsuitable for LASIK. The procedure is safe and effective, with results comparable to LASIK, though recovery may take a few days longer. PRK offers long-lasting vision improvement, often eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

ICL

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a vision correction procedure ideal for individuals with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism who may not be candidates for LASIK or PRK. Unlike laser surgeries that reshape the cornea, ICL involves inserting a small, biocompatible lens between the eye’s natural lens and the iris. The procedure is minimally invasive, reversible, and preserves the eye’s natural structure. Recovery is quick, with most patients experiencing improved vision immediately or within a day. ICL provides sharp, long-lasting vision correction without removing corneal tissue, making it a preferred choice for those seeking an alternative to glasses or contact lenses.

RLE

RLE Surgery

RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange), also known as clear lens extraction, is a vision correction procedure designed for patients with presbyopia, severe farsightedness, or those unsuitable for LASIK or PRK. It involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to correct vision and eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. The procedure is similar to cataract surgery but performed before cataracts develop. RLE can address a range of refractive errors and prevent future cataract formation. Recovery is typically quick, and patients often enjoy long-lasting, improved vision, particularly for distance, near, or both, depending on the chosen lens.