The first form of vision correction surgery is the radial keratotomy, or RK, used for the first time in the 1960s in Japan. This form of vision correction surgery was performed for the first time in the USA in 1978.

Nowadays there are certain different methods of vision correction that can help the most of the people who need to improve their vision. Vision correction surgery are efficient for the patients with myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. There are diverse ways of vision correction that can be used today, such as: radial keratotomy, laser vision correction, intacs and clear lens extraction.

About 90% of Americans who have vision correction surgery choose the use of LASIK.

Laser vision correction can treat myopia, myopia with astigmatism, hyperopia, hyperopia with astigmatism or astigmatism alone. Not every patient who solicit laser vision correction is a candidate for the surgery.

There are a few criteria for laser vision correction, such as: the patient must be at least 18 years old for myopia and hyperopia, and at least 21 years old for astigmatism; stable refraction for at least 1 year; myopia between -0.50 and -14.00 diopters; astigmatism less than 5.00 diopters; hyperopia less than +6.00 diopters. Also, the patient who want to have laser vision correction must have no eye problems, such as keratoconus, unstable refractive error, cataract and corneal disease. In addition, the persons who want to have laser vision correction must have no medical problems, such as lupus, arthritis, AIDS, diabetes and pregnant or breastfeeding. Furthermore, the patients who want to undergo laser vision correction cannot take certain medications, such as Accutane, Imitrex, or amiodarone.

If you decide to have a laser vision correction you will have to stop the use of your contact lenses for a few days to a few weeks so that your cornea will have the time to go back to its first shape.

Results after vision correction surgery are very good, and about 95% of patients enjoy 20/40 or even better post operative vision.

Laser vision correction involves a few very rare risks, such as retinal detachment or loss of vision. Laser vision correction is not painful, because the patient a local anesthetic is administered in the form of eye drops. Patients recover dissimilar after laser vision correction. The recovery can take a few days for one patient, or a few weeks, maybe months for another patient.