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Refractive Surgery Co-Management at Eyes Fort Worth

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Understanding Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery refers to various surgical procedures designed to correct common vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. These procedures aim to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses by reshaping the cornea, or by changing the overall refractive power of the eye, thereby improving the way light rays are focused onto the retina.

Types of Refractive Surgery

At Eyes Fort Worth, we offer co-management of refractive surgery to help you achieve clearer vision. We work in collaboration with experienced eye surgeons who will help determine the best procedure for your specific vision needs.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)

LASIK is one of the most popular and widely performed refractive surgeries. It involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, reshaping the underlying corneal tissue with a laser to correct vision, and then repositioning the flap.

Benefits of LASIK:

Quick recovery time
Minimal discomfort
High success rate

Ideal for: Patients with mild to moderate myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

PRK is a type of refractive surgery where the corneal epithelium is removed to expose the underlying corneal tissue, which is then reshaped with a laser, allowing the outer layer of the cornea to re-epithelialize. Unlike LASIK, there is no flap created in the cornea.

Benefits of PRK:

Suitable for patients with thinner corneas
No risk of flap complications, however requires a longer recovery
Long-term stability

Ideal for: Patients with mild to moderate myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, especially those with thinner corneas.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laser to create a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea, which is then removed through a small incision. This reshapes the cornea and corrects vision.

Benefits of SMILE:

Minimally invasive with no flap creation
Reduced risk of dry eye
Quick recovery

Ideal for: Patients with myopia and astigmatism.

RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange)

RLE, also known as clear lens extraction, involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure is similar to cataract surgery and is often used for patients with presbyopia or extreme refractive errors.

Benefits of RLE:

Corrects high refractive errors
Addresses presbyopia
Long-term vision improvement

Ideal for: Patients with myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia.

Phakic IOLs (Implantable Contact Lenses)

Phakic IOLs are lenses implanted in the eye without removing the natural lens. They work similarly to contact lenses but are placed inside the eye, offering a permanent vision correction solution.

Benefits of Phakic IOLs:

High-quality vision correction
Reversible procedure
Suitable for high refractive errors

Ideal for: Patients with high myopia and hyperopia who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK.

Choosing the Right Refractive Surgery

At Eyes Fort Worth, our skilled optometrists will perform a thorough eye examination and discuss your vision goals to determine the best surgical options/surgeons for you. We will recommend experienced surgeons in the Fort Worth area who will help you achieve your visual goals. We are committed to providing personalized care and utilizing the latest technology to ensure the best possible outcomes.