This surgery is primarily used to correct nearsighted (or myopic) vision. People interested in this procedure need to know what level of improvement to expect. Will your vision be correctable to 20/20? If not, will you still need to wear glasses? If so, how long can you expect it to stay that way?

Basically, a nearsighted person has an eyeball that is too long and is likely to further lengthen over time. It takes only fractions of a millimeter in change of length to increase nearsightedness. Laser surger only alters the shape of the front of the eye. A contact lens over the front of the eye has the same effect. Neither the surgery or the contact lens influences the length of the eye or how it will reshape itself in the future.

A great many recipients of this surgery will need some form of optical correction in the future. Unfortunately, if contacts are desired, they may be difficult to fit because the cornea is no longer a normal shape (tip of the cornea is artificially flattened).

As this new form of surgery is perfected, no doubt the results will improve. If you are considering refractive surgery, talk with your vision care professionals and make sure the expected results are what you desire and are the best option for your eye health.