Refractive Surgery

The eye has two natural lenses that focus the image of an object on the retina to give us a clear view of that object. These two lenses are the cornea, on the outside of the eye, and the crystalline lens, in the inside of the eyeball. The ability to focus images on the retina is called the refractive power of the eye, and it is the cornea that is responsible for most of this refractive power.

When the refractive power of the eye is deficient, it results in conditions that are called myopia (nearsightedness) , hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. These conditions are usually "corrected" with glasses or contact lenses.

The shape and curvature of the cornea can be changed to correct any of those conditions. This is done with a special laser instrument called Excimer Laser. The Excimer Laser removes tissue from the cornea and reshapes it so that it will focus the images on the retina, thus eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

The cornea can be reshaped using the Excimer Laser directly on the surface of the cornea (PRK) or under a very thin flap fashioned on the surface of the cornea (LASIK). Each procedure has it's own indications, advantages and disadvantages and we at the O'Donnell Institute will discuss with you which procedure is the best for you.

At the O'Donnell Eye Institute, Dr. Byron Santos has been performing Refractive Surgery for many years. We are proud to be the first private center that performed this type of surgery in the St. Louis area. We were also one of the centers that conducted the investigational procedures that led to the development and final approval of this exciting technology.

Dr. Byron Santos will personally examine you and determine and discuss with you which procedure is the best for your condition. He will go over the advantages, disadvantages of the procedure chosen for you as well as the risks and complications that you as a patient need to be aware of.