Laser vision correction, or refractive surgery, is the latest technology used for the treatment of vision loss. High success rates and the involvement of minimal surgical procedures have made laser correction a popular choice. It is now considered a simple and safe alternative form of surgery.

�Laser in situ keratomileusis�, also known as LASIK, is the latest trend in refractive surgery. A microkeratome, or surgical knife is used to cut the cornea, leaving a flap. This flap is then folded, exposing the middle layer of the cornea. A computer-guided laser is then used to vaporize the tissue. The flap is then repositioned in place. This procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea. The laser emits an ultraviolet light that vaporizes corneal tissue without heat. Another method of LASIK involves usage of a femtosecond laser that bypasses the top layer, targeting only the cornea�s middle layer.

In Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK, instead of creating a flap, the top layers of the cornea�s cells are removed. An ultraviolet light is directed onto the surface of the cornea. Myopia or nearsightedness is corrected by removing tissues in a particular pattern. This allows light rays to focus on the right spot of the retina. Hyperopia or farsightedness is treated by engraving the cornea. This allows light rays to focus on a deeper area of the cornea. The procedure takes only a few minutes and normal activities can resume within a week.

Conductive keratoplasty is the latest form of refractive surgery. It is used to treat hyperopia and presbyopia, or aging eye. Under this treatment, radio frequency waves are passed through a probe, the size of a human hair. It is applied in a circular sequence of dots around the cornea. Mild heat from the radio waves shrinks the glue-like connective tissue around the cornea. This strengthens the cornea and gives patients better near and distant vision. Conductive keratoplasty is not used on people with myopia.

Medical research is focused making corrections inside the eye, directly in front of the iris. The FDA is considering two internal lenses namely, Staar Surgical's Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) and AMO's Verisyes. It is believed that these lenses may provide a better quality of vision without the removal of tissue. Laser treatment is currently the hope of millions of visually impaired patients and in recent times, it has also become more affordable than it was when it was first introduced.