Refractive surgeryAll eye operations carried out to correct deficient vision come under the general heading "refractive surgery". The deficiencies concerned are short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism.
Correction is achieved with artificial lenses, which are either implanted into the eye additionally or entirely replace the natural lens. A further example of refractive surgery is provided by operations which change the geometry of the cornea and use techniques involving incisions or laser treatment (LASIK, LASEK).