Ametropia
Eye disorders that prevent a clear image from forming on the retina, with the exception of age-related presbyopia. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are all forms of ametropia.Astigmatism
An irregular cornea shape prevents light rays to be focused to one point so that objects appear blurred or distorted. Eye glasses and toric contact lenses or refractive surgery cancorrect astigmatism.
Cornea
The outer, transparent part of the eye's focusing system that covers the eye's iris, and anterior chamber. It transmits and focuses light into the eye and provides most of the eye'srefractive power. The cornea can be considered to have five layers: Epithelium, Bowman's membrane, Stroma, Descemet's membrane, Endothelium.
Emmetropia
Normal distance vision in which basically no refractive error is present and distant images are focused sharply on the retina with no need for corrective lenses or glasses.Opposite of ametropia.
Excimer Laser
Type of laser using so-called excited dimers (Excimer) to create laser radiation. An example is the argon-fluoride laser (wavelength: 193 nm) which is frequently used in ophthalmology to remodel the corneal stroma, often after lifting a corneal flap made by femtosecond laser or microkeratome. Argon-fluoride excimer laser ablates tissue without causing any damage to adjacent stroma in a precisely controlled manner.Femtosecond
1 fs = 1 Femtosecond = 10-15 secondA femtosecond is one billionth of one millionth, or one quadrillionth of a second. Lasers with femtosecond pulses enable precise and unique procedures, due to their exceptional physical properties.
Femtosecond Laser
The femtosecond laser uses infrared light with spot sizes as small as a few microns and laser pulse durations which are several orders of magnitude shorter than those of an Excimer Laser.Flap
The flap is a thin layer on the top surface of the cornea which is created with a femtosecond laser or microkeratome and moved to one side whilst the surgeon is applying the laser to treat the eye during the LASIK procedure. The flap is then placed back in its original position to allow the eye to heal naturally.Hyperopia
A condition in which the eye is too short or the cornea is too flat (the eye's focusing mechanism is too weak) thereby, preventing light rays from focusing before reaching the retina. This causes an inability to see near objects clearly. Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia.INTRACOR
A minimally invasive, femtosecond laser procedure for the treatment of presbyopia.The laser forms a series of rings within the stroma which causes a central steepening of the cornea to treat the presbyopia. **Currently NOT available in all countries
Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, LASIK
An advanced laser procedure using the precision of the excimer laser to reshape the cornea, thereby decreasing or eliminating myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The refractive surgeon uses a femtosecond laser or a microkeratome to create a thin, hinged layer of the cornea. This flap is then lifted, folded back and the exposed surface is reshaped using the excimer laser. After altering the corneal curvature, the flap is replaced and adheres without sutures.Lens
The natural lens is located in the eye and provides one third of the eye’s refractive power. As light passes through, the lens flexes and adjusts its shape to see objects at near and far. With age, the lens becomes less flexible and it becomes more difficult to see near objects as presbyopia develops.Microkeratome
An instrument which a surgeon may use to create the flap in the top of the cornea, as part of the LASIK eye procedure.Myopia
A condition in which the eye is too long or the cornea is too steep (the eye's focusing mechanism is too strong) thereby, causing light rays to focus before reaching the retina. This causes an inability to see distant objects clearly. Opposite of hyperopia.Ophthalmology
Branch of medicine dealing with the eye.Presbyopia
A condition associated with ageing in which the normally soft and flexible crystalline lens of the eye hardens and becomes less elastic. This loss of flexibility limits the ability of the eye to change its point of focus from distance to near, which results in an inability to see near objects clearly.Refractive Power
The ability of an object such as an eye to bend light.Stroma
The stroma is located in the cornea. It is the thickest part of the cornea, consisting of parallel collagen fibresSUPRACOR
The LASIK procedure can treat a wide range of presbyopic patients, and may also be suitable for patients who have previously undergone a LASIK procedure.**Currently NOT available in all countries.
