Laser Vision Correction Surgery Information  

With technological advancements happening at a rapid pace, the options for refractive vision correction have increased dramatically during the last few years. We are proud that Mass. Eye and Ear physicians and researchers have been at the forefront of many of these developments and have participated in many of the FDA reviewed clinical trials.

If your vision is affected by nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatisms, or presbyopia, you can trust our physicians to help you choose the right solution to achieve your vision goals. Our physicians perform more than 1200 vision correction procedures annually, using the most advanced techniques and technology available today. Our goal is to provide you with the facts and resources you need to make the decision that is best for your situation.

Laser Vision Correction (Refractive Surgery) is a term given to surgical procedures designed to correct certain vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. These procedures use an excimer laser beam to help reshape the cornea. An excimer laser produces "cool" light beams which are ideal for refractive surgery, and these procedures are done on an outpatient basis. The two most common procedures performed with the excimer laser are photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Safety

There are risks involved with laser vision correction just as there are with any surgical procedure. Some risks are loss of vision, dryness to the eyes and visual side effects such as hazy vision, glare, halos and other night vision disturbances. An in-depth review of the various risks associated with refractive surgery is included in the Mass. Eye and Ear surgical consent forms. The use of several excimer lasers, including those used at Mass. Eye and Ear, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of myopia, myopia with astigmatism, hyperopia, and hyperopia with astigmatism.

Physician Experience/Training

The surgeons at the Mass. Eye and Ear  have been performing refractive surgery for many years and have performed thousands of procedures during this time. In addition to performing a large number of surgeries, many of the Mass. Eye and Ear surgeons are involved in cutting-edge research in the laser surgery field.

Page updated: Dec. 15, 2009