• Vision Center
  • Overview
    • Understanding Your Vision
    • History of LASIK Surgery
    • The History of Wavefront Technology Custom LASIK
    • Other Types of LASIK
  • Laser Eye Treatments
    • LASEK
    • Epi LASIK
    • Radial Keratotomy (RK)
    • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
  • Refractive Implants
    • Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
    • ICL
    • Intacs (phakic IOL's)
  • Alternative Treatments
    • Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
  • LASIK
  • Cornea
    • Overview
      • Corneal Anatomy
      • The Unhealthy Cornea
    • Surgical Treatments
      • LASIK and PRK: correction of refractive error
      • Penetrating Kerotoplasty: the complete corneal transplant
      • DSEK: the partial corneal transplant
      • Conductive Keratoplasty: corneal correction of hyperopia and presbyopia
      • Superficial & Phototherapeutic Keratectomy: removal of small corneal scars
      • Pterygium Excision: removal of abnormal conjunctival tissue
      • INTACS: Support for a warped cornea and correction of myopia
    • Overview
      • Corneal Anatomy
      • The Unhealthy Cornea
    • Surgical Treatments
      • LASIK and PRK
      • Penetrating Kerotoplasty
      • DSEK
      • Conductive Keratoplasty
      • Superficial & Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
      • Pterygium
      • INTACS
• Refractive Center
  • History of Refractive Surgery
  • LASIK
  • Radial Keratotomy
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy
  • Epi LASIK
  • LASEK
  • Refractive Lensectomy
  • ICL
  • Conductive Keratoplasty
  • Intacs
• LASIK Center
  • Overview
    • LASIK
    • MonoVision
  • LASIK Candidacy
    • Are you a candidate?
    • Self-Evaluation Test
  • LASIK Experience
    • Expectations & Selecting a Surgeon
    • Examination Prior to LASIK
    • The Day of LASIK
    • LASIK Stories
  • Wavefront (Blade-Free) LASIK
    • Overview
    • How Does Wavefront LASIK Work?
    • What is the advantage of Blade-free LASIK surgery?
    • Who are candidates for Blade-free LASIK surgery?
    • Examination prior to Blade-free LASIK
    • Is 20/20 vision guaranteed with Blade-free LASIK?
  • LASIK Resources
    • LASIK Study Results
    • Is 20/20 vision guaranteed with LASIK?
    • Custom (Wavefront) vs. Standard Lasik Surgery
    • LASIK Financing
    • LASIK Risks
  • Neuro Adaptation
    • Introduction
    • Revitalvision
    • The sessions
    • Finding out more
• Cataract Center
  • Overview
    • Causes
    • Symptoms
    • Examination
    • Cataract Prevention
    • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
    • Phacuemulsification
    • The New Era of Intraocular Refractive (IOR) Surgery
  • Lens Options
    • Monofocal
    • Multifocal
    • Accommodating
  • Post-Operative Complications
  • Insurance Coverage
• Glaucoma
  • Overview
    • Causes
    • Types
    • Symptoms
    • Prevention
    • Examination
  • Treatment
    • Prognosis
    • Medications
    • Surgery
• Retina Center
  • Overview
  • Macular Degeneration
    • Overview
    • Symptoms or Warning Signs
    • Testing & Treatments
  • Problems & Diseases
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Macular Hole
    • Macula Pucker
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Flashes & Floaters
  • Risks & Complications
    • Endophthalmitis
    • Uveitis
• Macular Center
  • Macular Degeneration
    • Macular Degeneration Disease
    • Warning Signs
    • Macular Degeneration Treatments
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
• Optical Center
  • Contact Lenses
    • Overview
    • Corrective Lens Options
    • Gas Permeable (GP)
    • Soft Toric Contact Lenses
    • General Contact Lens information
  • Eyeglasses
    • Overview
• Dry Eye Center
  • Overview
    • Symptoms
    • Causes
    • Testing
  • Treatments

LASIK and PRK: correction of refractive error

The most common corneal surgery performed in the United States today is excimer laser corneal refractive surgery, such as LASIK and PRK. In these procedures, a small amount of corneal tissue is removed to reshape the cornea and help focus light more crisply on the retina.