OVERVIEW:
are a number of variations such as LASIK, PRK, and some new ones, but LASIK is the most common. There are certain specific conditions
that make LASIK inadvisable, so each person should do research to make sure they are a good candidate. Our site will help you assess
risk, but you should also talk to your doctor and visit other websites as well. LASIK is very tempting, just be sure that it will be
safe and effective for you. Do your resarch, and find a doctor that has done a lot of LASIK procedures; experience matters with LASIK.
Laser Eye Surgery Terms
Ablate in surgery, is to remove. Ablation zone the area of tissue that is removed during
laser surgery. Accommodation the ability of the eye to change its focus
from distant objects to near objects. Acuity clearness, or sharpness of vision. Astigmatism a distortion of the image on the retina caused
by irregularities in the cornea or lens. Cornea the clear, front part of the eye. The cornea is the
first part of the eye that bends (or refracts) the light and provides
most of the focusing power. Diopter the measurement of refractive error. A negative
diopter value signifies an eye with myopia and positive diopter value
signifies an eye with hyperopia. Dry Eye Syndrome a common condition that occurs when the
eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable.
Common symptoms of dry eye include pain, stinging, burning, scratchiness,
and intermittent blurring of vision. Endothelium the inner layer of cells on the inside surface
of the cornea. Epithelium the outermost layer of cells of the cornea and
the eye's first defense against infection. Excimer laser an ultraviolet laser used in refractive surgery
to remove corneal tissue. Farsightedness the common term for hyperopia. FDA the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration.
It is the United States governmental agency responsible for the evaluation
and approval of medical devices. Flap & Zap a slang term for LASIK. Ghost Image a fainter second image of the object you are
viewing. Glare scatter from bright light that decreases vision. Halos are rings around lights due to optical imperfections in
or in front of the eye. Haze corneal clouding that causes the sensation of looking
through smoke or fog. Higher order aberrations refractive errors, other
than nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, that cannot be
corrected with glasses or contacts. Hyperopia the inability to see near objects as clearly as
distant objects, and the need for accommodation to see distant objects
clearly. Inflammation the body's reaction to trauma, infection, or
a foreign substance, often associated with pain, heat, redness, swelling,
and/or loss of function. Informed Consent Form a document disclosing the risks, benefits,
and alternatives to a procedure. In Situ a Latin term meaning "in place" or not removed. Iris the colored ring of tissue suspended behind the cornea
and immediately in front of the lens. Keratectomy the surgical removal of corneal tissue. Keratotomy a surgical incision (cut) of the cornea. Keratitis inflammation of the cornea. Kerato prefix indicating relationship to the cornea. Keratoconus a disorder characterized by an irregular corneal
surface (cone-shaped) resulting in blurred and distorted images. Keratomileusis carving of the cornea to reshape it. Laser the acronym for light amplification by stimulated
emission of radiation. A laser is an instrument that produces a powerful
beam of light that can vaporize tissue. LASIK the acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis
which refers to creating a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and
using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea. Lens a part of the eye that provides some focusing power.
The lens is able to change shape allowing the eye to focus at different
distances. Microkeratome a surgical device that is affixed to the eye
by use of a vacuum ring. When secured, a very sharp blade cuts a layer
of the cornea at a predetermined depth. Monovision the purposeful adjustment of one eye for near
vision and the other eye fordistance vision. Myopia the inability to see distant objects as clearly as near
objects. Nearsightedness the common term for myopia. Ophthalmologist a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis
and medical or surgical treatment of visual disorders and eye disease. Optician an expert in the art and science of making and
fitting glasses and may also dispense contact lenses. Optometrist a primary eye care provider who diagnoses, manages,
and treats disorders of the visual system and eye diseases. Overcorrection a complication of refractive surgery where
the achieved amount of correction is more than desired. PRK the acronym for photorefractive keratectomy which is
a procedure involving the removal of the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium)
by gentle scraping and use of a computer-controlled excimer laser to reshape
the stroma. Presbyopia the inability to maintain a clear image (focus)
as objects are moved closer. Presbyopia is due to reduced elasticity of
the lens with increasing age. Pupil a hole in the center of the iris that changes size
in response to changes in lighting. It gets larger in dim lighting
conditions and gets smaller in brighter lighting conditions. Radial Keratotomy commonly referred to as RK; a surgical
procedure designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) by flattening the
cornea using radial cuts. Refraction a test to determine the refractive power of the
eye; also, the bending of light as it passes from one medium into another.
Refractive Errors imperfections in the focusing power of
the eye, for example, hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. Refractive Power the ability of an object, such as the eye,
to bend light as light passes through it. Retina a layer of fine sensory tissue that lines the inside
wall of the eye. The retina acts like the film in a camera to capture
images, transforms the images into electrical signals, and sends the signals
to the brain. Sclera the tough, white, outer layer (coat) of the eyeball
that, along with the cornea, protects the eyeball. Snellen Visual Acuity Chart one of many charts used to measure
vision. Stroma the middle, thickest layer of tissue in the cornea.
Undercorrection a complication of refractive surgery where
the achieved amount of correction is less than desired. Visual Acuity the clearness of vision; the ability to distinguish
details and shapes. Vitreous Humor the transparent, colorless mass of gel that
lies behind the lens and in front of the retina and fills the center of
the eyeball. Wavefront a measure of the total refractive errors
of the eye, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and
other refractive errors that cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts.
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