Medical Ophthalmology

Any surgery that is used to improve the refractive state of the eye and decrease the need for glasses and contact lenses is referred to as refractive eye surgery. Refractive eye surgery is most often used to treat the common vision disorders myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. There are many determining factors in choosing which refractive procedure is best for your vision needs:

• Age
• Type of refractive error
• Degree of refractive error
• Concern for reversibility

Types of Refractive Eye Surgery

The most popular types of refractive eye surgery are:

• Radial Keratotomy (RK)
• Photoreactive Keratectomy (PRK)
• LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis
• LASEK
• Epi-LASIK
• Bladeless LASIK
• Wavefront LASIK
• Wavefront PRK

Unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for refractive eye surgery. What is Ophthalmology?

Ophthalmologists are specially trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care from prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses to complex eye surgery. Many eye doctors are also involved in research of the eye and its conditions and diseases. • Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: This specialty includes orbital surgery, eyelid and upper facial reconstructive procedures following trauma, tumors and cosmetic lid surgery. • Vitreoretinal Diseases: This involves both the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreoretinal disease (retina and vitreous diseases).