If you are considering LASIK, you may hear or read some terminology that is new to you. At Whitten Laser Eye, we believe patient information is a key to helping you to make the right decision about you vision and LASIK.
Ablation zone: This is the area of tissue that will be removed during the LASIK procedure.
Acuity: The clearness of your vision.
Astigmatism: This is a refractive error that results in the distortion of the image on the retina.
Cornea: This is the clear, front portion of your eye. This is the first part of the eye that bends light and provides most of the focusing power.
Diopter: This is the measurement of refractive error, and is something you may encounter when reading your prescription. A negative value will indicate nearsightedness, while a positive value will indicate farsightedness.
Dry Eye Syndrome: This is a common condition that will occur should your eyes not produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist.
Excimer laser: This is a cool beam, ultraviolet laser that is used to remove corneal tissue.
Glare: This describes the scatter from bright light that hinders your vision.
Halos: This describes rings surrounding light that is caused by imperfection in or in front of your eye.
High order aberrations: These are refractive errors other than nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. High order aberrations cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts.
Hyperopia: This is also called farsightedness. It is the inability to see near objects clearly.
Laser keratome: This is a laser device used in LASIK and other laser eye procedures to create a flap in the eye’s cornea.
LASIK: This may also be called Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. “In Situ” is latin for in place, or not removed; this refers to the cornea’s position. Keratomileusis is the carving or reshaping of the cornea.
Microkeratome: This is a mechanical surgical device that is sometimes used to create a flap in the cornea.
Myopia: This is also called nearsightedness. This describes the inability to see distant objects clearly.
Refractive Errors: This term describes imperfections affecting the eye’s focusing power. Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.
Wavefront: Wavefront technology measures your eye’s total refractive errors, producing a map of your eye’s imperfections. This technology allows the LASIK procedure to be customized to your unique needs.
