Lasik Eye Surgery Glossary

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  • 20/20 vision it is used for saying whether or not a person has good vision. The first 20 refers to the distance at which the person's vision is tested and the second one refers to the size of the letters he or she has to read.
  • Abberometry a technique used for determining the imperfections of the eye. In the past it has also been used for precisely building the optics for high accuracy telescopes.
  • Ablation an originally Latin term that is now used for defining the usually surgical removal of a tissue or part of the body.
  • Accommodation represents the ability of the eye to change focus from one area to another, usually from a distant to a closer one.
  • Acuity a term used for describing a person's capability of having a sharp vision.
  • Anisometropia a medical condition that is used for describing two eyes belonging to the same person with different refractive power.
  • Astigmatism one of the most common vision issues at the moment, caused by irregularities that might appear on the cornea. Due to this, the light rays that are perceived by the human eye are not focused in the correct way on the retina, leading to blurry vision.
  • Bifocals eyeglasses with two lenses on each frame. Usually one is used for viewing closer objects, for example reading, while the other is used for distance viewing.
  • Cataracts a medical condition that is usually developed along with aging. It refers to the natural lens of the eye developing an opacity that affects the visual capabilities of a person.
  • Conductive Keratoplasty CK refers to a medical technique that is using radio frequency in order to restore the original curvature of the human eye, helping the patient read and see close objects better.
  • Conjunctiva a very thin membrane inside the eye that is covering the sclera.
  • Contact lens thin lenses that are placed directly on the surface of the eye with the role of correcting various vision issues.
  • Cornea represents a part situated in front of the eye with the role of focusing the incoming light beams on the eye.
  • Dry eyes refers to a deficiency of tears that is usually associated with a sandy feeling and pain. Sometimes dry eyes might occur after laser eye surgery as a side effect.
  • Epithelium represents the outside layer of the eye and has a crucial role in protecting against exterior factors and also infections.
  • Excimer laser is a type of laser that emits UV light and is used in some vision correction interventions.
  • Farsightedness a term that is medically known as hyperopia, the ability of a person to see distant objects better and sharper than closer ones.
  • Glare usually appears in bright light and is known to be a side effect of laser eye surgery.
  • Glaucoma a severe medical issue that appears due to a high pressure in the intraocular globe. In case it is left untreated, it will lead to loss of vision.
  • Halos represent rings situated around lights that appear due to damages of the eyes. Halos can also represent a side effect of laser eye surgeries.
  • Hyperopia also known as farsightedness, represents the case in which a person is able to see distant objects in a better way than the ones next to him.
  • Intraocular a term that refers to the inside of the eye.
  • Intraocular lens a type of artificial lens that is introduced inside the eye in a cataract surgery.
  • Keratectomy represents a surgical intervention in which a part of the cornea is removed, either using a laser beam or classic surgical techniques.
  • Keratoconus refers to a cornea that has the shape of a cone.
  • Keratitis represents the inflammation of the corneal tissue.
  • Keratomileusis a procedure in which the cornea is carved in order to be reshaped so that some visual characteristics are restored.
  • Laser scientifically known as light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Is an instrument used in high precision eye surgeries.
  • LASIK an abbreviation for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis. It represents one of the most advanced and efficient medical procedures in which a flap is being made in to the cornea in order to reshape it so that the visual acuity of the patient is restored.
  • LASEK an abbreviation for laser assisted sub epithelial keratectomy. An eye intervention slightly different than LASIK due to the fact that the epithelial tissue is lifted before the laser comes in contact with the surface of the eye.
  • Microkeratome represents a surgical instrument that is fixed to the eye with the help of vacuum in order to allow the precise cutting of the cornea at a specific depth.
  • Monovision a technique in which one eye is adjusted in order to be used for near vision and the other one for distant vision.
  • Myopia also known as nearsightedness, is one of the most common visual problems people have and refers to the ability of seeing closer objects much better than distant ones.
  • Nearsightedness known in medical terms as myopia, is the ability of seeing closer objects much better than distant ones.
  • NearVision CK (Conductive Keratoplasy) a non-laser vision-correction procedure that uses radio waves to reshape the cornea. The CK System makes this procedure ideal for patients over 40. NearVisionSM CK® utilizes the first FDA-approved technology for people who are hyperopic and presbyopic.
  • Ophthalmology the branch of medicine that deals with the functions, anatomy, diseases and treatment of the eye.
  • Ophthalmologist a physician specializing in surgical and medical care of eye problems and visual disorders.
  • Optician someone who is trained to make and dispense eyeglasses and other visual aids.
  • Optometrist health care professional who provides primary vision care.
  • Overcorrection a potential side-effect of LASIK surgery where the surgeon removes too much of the corneal tissue.
  • Phakic Implants a type of artificial lens that is placed into the eye as a minor surgical procedure, for the purpose of correcting a person's prescription.
  • Postoperative after the surgical operation.
  • PRK a laser eye surgery procedure intended to correct a person's vision by sculpting the surface of the cornea.
  • Presbyopia a vision condition in which the eye loses its ability to maintain focus on close objects. Presbyopia is a natural aging process of the eye.
  • Prescription a physician's plan of care for an individual patient
  • Pupil an opening in the center of the iris that determines how much light is let into the retina. It constricts in brighter lighting conditions and dilates in dim lighting conditions.
  • Radial keratotomy or RK is a surgical procedure used to treat myopia by flattening the cornea. RK is an alternative for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK surgery.
  • Recuperate to recover strength and health
  • Refractive Lensectomy or Clear Lensectomy, is the removal and replacement of the current lens with a new, synthetic lens.
  • Refractive Error imperfection in the focusing of light by the eye, for example astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia.
  • Refractive Power is the ability of the eye to converge or diverge light.
  • Retina a nerve layer at the back of the inner eye that lines the eye's inside wall, senses light and sends nerve impulses to the brain.
  • Sclera or sclerotic, the firm, opaque outer layer of the eye that covers and protects the eyeball.
  • Snellen Visual Acuity Chart an eye chart designed to measure a patient's visual acuity.
  • STAAR Visian ICL an implantable contact lens designed to offer a lasting solution for refractive errors. STAAR Visian ICL is a good alternative for patients who are not suitable LASIK candidates.
  • Stroma the middle corneal layer consisting of cells and fibers.
  • Surgeon a physician who specializes in surgery
  • Surgery the work done by a surgeon
  • Tear a type of secretion that serves to moisten the cornea and conjunctiva.
  • Toric Lens Implants a type of Intraocular Lens that your surgeon implants in your eye to correct astigmatism.
  • Undercorrection a potential side-effect of LASIK surgery where the surgeon removes too little of the corneal tissue.
  • Verisyse(tm) Implant a type of Phakic Implant that is placed within the eyeball to correct high myopia.
  • Visual Acuity the clarity or sharpness of vision. The standard for visual acuity is 20/20. Visual acuity is crucial for recognizing symbols, reading text, driving, performing assembly work etc.
  • Vitreous Humor a clear gelatinous substance that fills the posterior compartment of the eye between the between the retina and the lens. As we age it changes from a gel to a liquid and gradually shrinks separating from the retina.
  • Wavefront sensor a device used to measure the aberrations in the eye.
  • Wavefront Guided LASIK or PRK refractive surgeries designed to correct the refractive errors of the eye.