Corneal surgery

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Radial keratotomy for myopia - series

Lasik eye surgery - series

Overview

Recovery

Risks

Corneal surgery

Alternative Names:

Nearsightedness surgery; Radial keratotomy; Refractive surgery; LASIK

Expectations after surgery:

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:

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.

Review Date: 4/8/2005
Reviewed By: Raymond S. Douglas, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.