Refractive surgery - ophthalmology advances

An article in the Eye Journal from London, England, highlights the broad scope of 'Refractive surgery,' covering procedures addressing refractive errors—a prominent cause of reversible visual impairment globally. The landscape of refractive surgery has transcended the conventional realm of 'laser eye surgery.' Advancements in femtosecond laser technology have notably enhanced laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and introduced refractive lenticule extraction.
The journey of keratorefractive surgery commenced with surface ablation techniques, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), involving epithelial removal. Alternatively, procedures like LASEK deploy 20% alcohol to displace the corneal epithelium. Exploring further possibilities, keratorefractive surgery might intertwine with corneal collagen cross-linking, potentially enhancing safety profiles for eyes with thinner corneas. On a parallel trajectory, SMILE emerges as a minimally invasive 'flap-less' procedure, currently undergoing optimization and gradually demonstrating comparability with traditional LASIK. Looking beyond the present, the future of refractive surgery holds promise as artificial intelligence, driven by neural networks, takes the reins. Multiple diagnostic tools will assimilate information about the eye, guiding surgeons in determining the most suitable lens or corneal refractive surgery method for individual patients.