Laser and refractive surgery improves vision by reshaping the cornea to correct refractive error, which can include astigmatism, myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and presbyopia (age-related loss of near vision).
What is refractive eye surgery?
Refractive eye surgery is a type of surgery that aims to correct vision and reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
There are two different approaches for refractive eye surgery:
• Laser-based procedures that reshape the cornea
• Lens-based procedures that involve placing or replacing a lens inside the eye
What is laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery, also known as laser refractive surgery, is a subset of refractive eye surgery.
The procedure uses focused laser energy, delivered as short ultraviolet pulses, to either flatten the central cornea (to treat myopia) or adjust the peripheral tissue (to treat hyperopia or astigmatism).
What is LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most common form of refractive surgery, with more than 30 million procedures performed worldwide. It is performed on patients with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. LASIK results in significant improvement in vision quality and is considered very safe. The technique uses the fifth-generation IntraLase femtosecond (iFS) laser to create a flap of the cornea, and then the Schwind Amaris 7505 excimer laser to reshape the surface beneath the flap. The LASIK procedure takes approximately 20 minutes per eye and is performed with local anaesthetic eye drops.
Visit our laser vision clinic
At Lions Laser Vision, our specialists are leaders in the field of refractive surgery and utilize the latest equipment to vastly improve patients’ vision – for example, our Schwind Amaris 7505 excimer laser was the first one purchased in Australia.
Book an appointment today with one of our refractive surgeons, or take our suitability test to see if laser eye surgery is right for you.
