Corneal Refractive Surgery

Doctor JCH,

What all is involved in corneal refractive surgery?  Have you done many of these, and how successful is the procedure? (percentage of successful operations, ballpark figure)

[circumspect]

There are too many forms of refractive corneal surgery to explain. You will need to 'google" the term and read about them: lasik, lasek, conductive keratoplasty, incisional keratotomy, intraocular lens, etc.

The success of the surgery depends on many things: the care and skill of the surgeon, the amount and type of refractive surgery being done, the equipment used, etc. etc. Generalizations are impossible. Some people are not candidates at all for corneal refractive surgery.

Many ophthalmology groups do not charge to evaluate people for refractive surgery. It's important to do your home-work and pick surgeons and groups with excellent reputations and who will say honestly "Sorry, you're not a good candidate for refractive surgery". (If they say "yes" to everyone then suspect something).

JCH MD