Refractive Surgery
One of the most common causes of vision issues is refractive errors—conditions where the natural shape of the eyes prevents or impairs light from properly reflecting on the cornea. Refractive eye surgery is designed to correct these concerns, enabling patients to see more clearly, often without the need for glasses or contacts. Our skilled team of eye doctors in Orlando have extensive experience performing various forms of refractive surgery, and they are here to help enhance your vision and your lifestyle.
LASIK
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a form of refractive surgery designed to help patients improve common vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This is accomplished using laser technology, as our ophthalmologist meticulously reshapes the cornea in order to improve the way light focuses on the retina. LASIK surgery has helped countless patients reduce or possibly eliminate their reliance on corrective eyewear such as glasses and contact lenses.
PRK
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is another type of refractive eye surgery that corrects vision problems by reshaping the cornea. However, unlike LASIK, which creates a corneal flap, PRK involves gently removing the outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium. The cornea is then reshaped, correcting the refractive error. The epithelium can naturally regenerate over time. Typically, a thin, clear contact lens is placed after surgery to protect the eye during the healing process. Patients may begin to notice vision improvements within a few days to a week after surgery, but the full results typically take a month to become apparent.
RLE
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)—also known as Clear Lens Exchange (CLE)—is a surgical procedure that corrects vision problems by replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). RLE is primarily performed to address presbyopia (age-related near vision loss) or extreme farsightedness or nearsightedness. Similar to cataract surgery, the procedure involves making a small incision in the eye, removing the natural lens, and implanting the IOL to restore clear vision at various distances. RLE can reduce or potentially eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses and offers long-term vision correction.
To learn more about refractive eye surgery, please contact our office today.