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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
05:46
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity
Published on: September 20, 2024
531
Laser-based Refractive Surgery: A Review of Select Clinical Challenges and Future Directions
Dennis Akrobetu1, Roberto Pineda
1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
International Ophthalmology Clinics
|July 2, 2025
Summary
Laser corneal refractive surgery offers vision correction but faces challenges like aberrations and ectasia. Lens-based techniques may offer solutions for limitations in current laser procedures.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Refractive Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Laser-based corneal refractive surgeries like LASIK, PRK, and SMILE provide alternatives to glasses and contact lenses.
- Despite technological advancements, challenges persist, including higher-order aberrations and postoperative complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of laser-based corneal refractive surgery.
- To identify persistent clinical challenges and areas for innovation.
- To compare laser-based techniques with lens-based refractive surgery.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of advancements in laser corneal refractive surgery.
- Analysis of common laser procedures (LASIK, PRK, SMILE).
- Discussion of persistent clinical challenges and emerging solutions.
Main Results:
- Key laser procedures (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) have improved vision correction.
- Persistent challenges include higher-order aberrations, ectasia, DLK/CTK, and PISK.
- Innovations in preoperative evaluation and aberration treatment are ongoing.
Conclusions:
- Laser corneal refractive surgery has advanced significantly but retains limitations.
- Lens-based refractive techniques may address some current limitations.
- Further innovation is needed to overcome existing clinical challenges.
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