[Are eyeglasses obsolete, or what can we expect from refractive surgery?]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Refractive Surgery

Background:

• Ametropia, or refractive error, is commonly corrected using spectacles, contact lenses, or surgical interventions.
• Each correction method presents unique advantages and disadvantages regarding efficacy, safety, and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the pros, cons, and performance of various ametropia correction methods.
• To explain the continued necessity of spectacles despite advancements in contact lenses and refractive surgery.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on spectacles, contact lenses, and refractive surgical techniques.
• Analysis of potential complications, including infectious keratitis from contact lenses and unpredictable outcomes from radial keratotomy.
• Assessment of current refractive surgery techniques like laser ablation and corneal incisions.

Main Results:

• Contact lens misuse can lead to severe ocular complications, including blindness.
• Refractive surgery, such as radial keratotomy, has unpredictable individual results and potential operative complications.
• Current refractive surgery methods, including excimer laser treatments, are considered experimental with limited long-term data.

Conclusions:

• Spectacles remain a safe and reliable method for correcting ametropia.
• Refractive surgery holds future potential but requires further research and cautious clinical application.
• The development of refractive surgery necessitates rigorous investigation into long-term outcomes and safety profiles.