Refractive Surgeries
 at Parkway East Hospital

Refractive surgeries are eye procedures that correct common vision problems such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism, reducing or removing the need for glasses or contact lenses. They work by reshaping the cornea or implanting a corrective lens inside the eye so light focuses properly on the retina. Common options include LASIK, SMILE, PRK, and Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL). Your eye specialist will assess your eye health, prescription stability, and corneal thickness to determine which method is most suitable.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally invasive laser vision correction procedure that uses a femtosecond laser to create and remove a small lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue through a tiny incision. It is often recommended for patients with myopia and astigmatism who have adequate corneal thickness. SMILE is known for its quick recovery time, reduced dry eye symptoms compared to LASIK, and no need for a corneal flap. Suitability is confirmed after a comprehensive refractive surgery assessment.

ICL surgery involves placing a biocompatible lens inside the eye, between the natural lens and the iris, to correct vision. This option is especially useful for patients with high myopia or thin corneas who may not be suitable for laser-based surgeries. Unlike laser procedures, ICL does not involve removing corneal tissue, and the lens can be removed or replaced in the future if needed. Recovery is generally fast, and vision improvement is often immediate.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a surface-based laser vision correction procedure where the outermost layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed before reshaping the cornea with an excimer laser. PRK is often recommended for patients with thinner corneas, irregular corneal shapes, or those in occupations where eye trauma is a risk. While recovery can take longer than LASIK or SMILE, PRK offers comparable long-term visual outcomes and avoids the creation of a corneal flap.

Suitability depends on several factors, including your age (typically over 18), stable vision prescription for at least one year, overall eye health, corneal thickness, and absence of active eye diseases such as keratoconus or severe dry eye. Certain medical conditions, pregnancy, or breastfeeding may also affect candidacy. A comprehensive eye assessment with an eye specialist is essential to determine the safest and most effective treatment for your eyes.

Recovery varies depending on the procedure. SMILE and LASIK generally have a faster recovery time, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days. PRK recovery can take several weeks due to the regrowth of the corneal surface layer. After any refractive surgery, you will be prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation, and follow-up appointments will monitor healing and vision stability. During recovery, it’s important to avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, or engaging in contact sports until cleared by your doctor.

When performed by an experienced eye surgeon, refractive surgeries have a high success rate and are generally considered safe. However, as with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks such as dry eyes, glare, halos, night vision disturbances, under- or over-correction, and, in rare cases, infection or vision loss. Proper pre-surgery screening, adherence to aftercare instructions, and regular follow-ups greatly reduce the risk of complications.

Many patients enjoy long-term freedom from glasses or contact lenses after refractive surgery, but results can vary. Age-related changes, such as presbyopia (difficulty focusing on near objects after age 40), may still require reading glasses in the future. Additionally, natural changes in your eyes over time can affect vision, so regular eye checks remain important even after successful surgery.