Surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

There are three main refractive surgeries:

• LASIK
  (Laser In Situ Karatomileusis) is a combined microsurgical and laser procedure to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. In LASIK, the surgeon uses a highly specialized instrument (microkeratome) to cut a thin flap in the cornea. This flap is folded back, and the excimer laser reshapes the cornea. Then, the flap is replaced and allowed to heal back into position.] There is lots of information available about LASIK surgery. Read more about how it works and the risks.

• Astigmatic Keratotomy
  is a microsurgical procedure to correct astigmatism. The surgeon makes deep cuts in the cornea (usually one or two) in a curved pattern. These flatten the areas of the cornea that are too steeply curved.

• Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
  is an excimer laser procedure used to reduce myopia and astigmatism. Using an invisible, high-energy light, the laser sculpts the cornea.

It is essential to make an informed decision about any surgical procedure, so talk to your ophthalmologist about the potential for success, as well as the potential for complications.