title: Refractive surgery: what patients need to know.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most procedures to treat refractive error are based on laser surgery, but other techniques are available. We review the relative advantages and the risk associated with the different surgical options.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laser refractive surgery is now a safe and effective alternative to glasses or contact lenses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Because refractive surgery is an area of rapidly developing technology, the relative benefits of the different surgical options remain uncertain. AREAS TO DEVELOP RESEARCH: Controlled trials are needed to provide better guidance as to the relative merits of the different surgical options. Better interventions are required to minimize the biological response after laser surface treatment to eliminate the need for mechanical cutting of a flap for laser in situ keratomileusis. An effective surgical treatment for presbyopia is awaited.
authors.affiliation: Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, 162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK.
authors.forename: Vikentia J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Katsanevaki
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tuft
mesh_terms: D048988:Corneal Surgery, Laser / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*