At the Harbin Clinic Eye Center, we offer several types of refractive surgery to help our patients function better with less dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

The term “refractive surgery” is a generic term for any ocular surgery that aims to reduce the need for corrective eyewear. There are several types of refractive surgery, but all of these procedures either occur on the cornea or the lens. (See page “How the Eye Works” for more info)

There is much confusion in the market place today about which procedure is optimal for any particular patient. The best way to determine which procedure is right for you is to consult your doctor and discuss your visual needs. Until then, you may research the topic more efficiently on this website by answering two basic questions.

1. Are you over or under 40 years of age?
2. Without the use of glasses or contacts is your vision poor at distance, near or both?

For the purposes of this discussion, distance vision is typically what you use to see road signs when you drive, to play sports, or to recognize someone across a room. Near vision, on the other hand, is what you use to read a book. By answering these two questions, you can use the guide below to begin researching procedures that might help you.

What Procedure is the Best One for Me?
Patients who want to reduce their dependence on glasses (or contact lenses) are often confused about which procedure might work for them. To reduce the confusion choose the situation that best describes you then consider the procedure(s) noted.
I am under 40 years of age and my vision without glasses is:
Good at near (reading a book). Poor at distance (driving, playing sports, seeing clearly across the room). LASIK, PRK, ICL
Vision is poor at distance and at near. LASIK, Possible ICL
I am 40 or over and my vision without glasses is:
Good at distance. Poor at near. I just need glasses to read. CK
Good at near. Poor at distance. LASIK, PRK, ICL, Deluxe IOL
Vision is poor at distance and at near. LASIK, PRK, ICL, Deluxe IOL
I wear just one Contact Lens to help me read. CK
I wear two Contacts - one for distance and one for near (Monovision). LASIK, PRK, ICL, Deluxe IOL
This, of course, is a rough guide. Consultation with your doctor is the best way to determine the optimal procedure for you.

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