Bad eyes? Learn about Lasik, Lasek and PRK (from Mayo clinic)

Tribune Media ServicesPublished May 27, 2007
Q. I'm 48 and have been wearing hard contacts since I was 10. Apparently, as we approach 50, our eyes don't produce as many tears, so my lenses have become uncomfortable. What's the latest information on refractive surgery, and which kind has the best success rate?

A. Refractive surgery refers to procedures aimed at correcting "refractive error," an abnormality in the eye's focusing power resulting in nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Nearsightedness occurs when the curvature of the cornea, the transparent membrane that arcs over the front of the eye, is too steep. Farsightedness results if the cornea is too flat. And astigmatism is the problem when the curvature varies.

If discussions with your doctor lead to refractive surgery, instead of eyeglasses, three time-tested procedures are available: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Lasik), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and laser epithelial keratomileusis (Lasek).

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