Refractive surgery

Michael E Johnson (2007, April). Refractive surgery. The Optician, 233(6099), 32,34-40. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. (Document ID: 1287681671).

The term laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers are very useful because of their ability to be very precise and accurate. The use of a laser avoids cutting a flap with a blade and therefore is safer. The electromagnetic radiation of the laser is capable of altering biological tissues including photo-thermal, photo-disruptive, and photo-chemical. The excimer laser used in refractive surgery uses photochemical to break the chemical bonds and break molecules into fragments. The main advantage of lasers in refractive surgery is their ability to be switched off and on rapidly. The argon-fluoride excimer laser is the most common in sculpting the cornea. These lasers pulse output of the wavelength 193 nm. Each pulse removes only 0.21-0.27 pm of cornea tissue. This reduces the damage done to the other parts of the eye. The lasers are able to target specific tissues that absorb certain wavelengths. This reduces the damage done to the other parts of the eye. 1981 was the year that the US air force first reported the effects of the lasers on corneal tissue. Today about two thirds of patients after surgery have the vision of 6/6 or better. Some complications include haze, night vision problems, and blurring.