Nearsightedness surgery; Radial keratotomy; Refractive surgery; LASIK 

The procedure is usually painless. You should have an immediate improvement in vision.

Long-term studies show that most people who have this procedure will see close to 20/20 without glasses. A few people (about 10%) will continue to need glasses or contact lenses. Rarely, there are serious complications that permanently decrease vision.

Older patients who needed bifocals before surgery will still need reading glasses after the procedure.

Protective glasses may be worn for several days, although full recovery can take several months.

You can quickly return to most activities. However, avoid bumping the eye or placing it under in water (swimming, for example) for at least 4 weeks.

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Corneal surgery Prevention

Review Date: 02/22/2007
Reviewed By: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)