LASIK glossary of terms I-O

I

Inflammation: Pain, redness, swelling, heat and function loss that is the body's reaction to trauma.

Informed Consent Form: A form that must be signed before any surgery, including LASIK, that states that the patient is aware of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the surgery.

Intraocular lens: (IOL) An implant that is put in to replace to natural lens of the eye. Designed with the specific patients prescription in mind.

Intraocular pressure: Pressure put on the eye by the aqueous humor.

Iris: Membrane with pigment that is located between the lens and the cornea which regulates how much light goes into the eye.

K

Keratectomy: When part of the cornea is removed with surgery

Keratotomy: An incision that is made in the cornea

Keratitis: Occurs when a cornea is inflamed.

Keratoconus: A genetic eye problem where the surface of the cornea is irregular, causing image distortion and blurry vision.

Keratoplasty: A type of surgery done on the cornea.

L

Laser: Instrument that puts out a beam of light that is powerful. In LASIK surgery they are used to remove tissue.

LASEK: Surgery much like LASIK that is an alternative for those not able to get it.

LASIK: Surgery done to the eyes where tissue in the cornea is used to make a flap that allows the surgeon to ablate the tissue with a laser.

Lens: Portion of the eye that allows it to focus, but changes shape depending on the distance of the object.

LTK (Laser Thermal Keratoplasty): A surgery to repair farsightedness when it is minor, where a holmium laser is utilized to heat the cornea and shrink its collagen. It is also referred to as Laser Thermokeratoplasty.

M

Microkeratome: Small device, that is either laser or mechanical based, used to make the flap on the cornea during LASIK surgery.

Monovision: Method of correcting presbyopia with intraocular lenses or surgery.

Myopia: Better known as nearsightedness, where objects that are close are clear and objects that are faraway are blurry.

N

Nearsightedness: Myopia, when the farther the object is, the blurrier it becomes.

O

Ophthalmologist: A doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and disorders pertaining to the eyes.

Optician: Professionals trained in the productions and fitting of prescription glasses.

Optic nerve: Portion of the eye responsible for taking stimuli to the brain from the rods and cones.

Optometrist: Doctor who is a primary provider of eye care

Orbit: Socket of the eye

Overcorrection: Risks factor of any refractive surgery where the desired results are over achieved.