Tuesday, September 19. 2006
Radial Keratotomy (RK)
Radial keratotomy (RK) is surgical procedure that has been used since the late 1970’s to reduce myopia by changing the curvature of the cornea.
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Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK)
PTK is an excimer laser surgical procedure that removes roughness or cloudiness from the cornea. The cornea is the smooth clear window of the eye in front of the colored iris that helps bend light rays so they focus directly on the retina, the light-sensing layer of cells at the back of the eye. If the corneal surface is rough or cloudy, the rays of light do not focus properly on the retina and images are blurry.
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Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
Until recently, if you were one of the millions of people with a refractive error—light rays not focusing precisely on the retina—eyeglasses and contact lenses were the only options for correcting vision. But with the arrival of refractive surgery, some people may have their vision corrected through surgery. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is one of several refractive surgery procedures used by ophthalmologists to permanently change the shape of the cornea to improve the way it focuses light on the retina.
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LASIK
Until recently, if you were one of the millions of people with a refractive error, eyeglasses and contact lenses were the only options for correcting vision. But with the arrival of refractive surgery, some people with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism (a cornea with unequal curves), may have their vision improved through surgery.
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Laser Surgery of the Eye
The word “laser” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a concentrated beam of light, created when an electrical current passes through a special material. Used in eye surgery since the 1970’s, the laser is popular for its unparalleled degree of precision and predictability. Lasers are being used for an increasing variety of eye diseases.
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Intracorneal Rings (ICRs)
Intracorneal rings are plastic inserts placed in the cornea. The rings flatten the central cornea to correct low levels of nearsightedness (myopia). Unlike other refractive surgery procedures, intracorneal rings can be removed. When the inserts are removed the cornea returns to its preoperative shape and one is again nearsighted.
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Tattoo Removal
Tattooing is the ancient art of permanent body painting, accomplished by inserting various pigments into the skin with a needle. These pigments, or inks, sometimes last much longer than we wish they did. Attempts at removing tattoos have generally not been as successful as the initial tattooing efforts.
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Ptosis
Ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid. The lid may droop only slightly or it may cover the pupil entirely. In some cases ptosis can restrict and even block normal vision.
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Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is a relatively new laser procedure to improve the appearance of the skin. The laser burns the superficial layers of the skin to treat wrinkles, scarring, or facial pigment abnormalities. When the skin heals, the new skin layers are tighter and the wrinkles are less apparent.
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Lacrimal Drainage Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)
Keeping the eyes moist and healthy requires tears. Tears are produced in the lacrimal glands, some of which are located under the upper eyelid. Tears drain from the eye into the nose through the nasolacrimal duct, or tear duct. A blockage of this drainage duct can cause wet eyes or excessive tearing. A blocked tear duct can also cause mucus buildup in the eye or ongoing infections in the lacrimal sac where tears collect. Infections are noticeable as a swelling of the inner corner of the lower eyelid.
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Eyelid Tumors
A tumor is an abnormal growth of any tissue or structure and can be either benign or malignant. A tumor can affect any part of the eye, such as the eye socket, eyeball, eye muscles, optic nerve, fat and tissues. Sometimes tumors grow into the eye area, or tumors from other parts of the body travel to the eye. Most tumors of the eye are benign.
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Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery is a common method of treatment for entropion (inward turning of the eyelid), ectropion (outward turning of the eyelid), ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), and some eyelid tumors.
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Entropion
Entropion is an inward turning of the eyelid and lashes toward the eye, usually caused by relaxation of the eye muscles and tissue due to aging.
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Ectropion
Ectropion is an outward turning of the lower eyelid, most commonly caused by aging, although eyelid burns or skin disease may also be responsible.
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Chemical Peel
A chemical peel or facial peel is a nonsurgical technique used to smooth some of the fine facial wrinkles associated with aging. Areas of sun-damaged skin and certain skin discolorations also respond to the procedure.
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