CORNEA - A curved band of strong, clear tissue on the surface of the eye, the cornea focuses light into the retina. This is the structure that the excimer laser works on. The Physicians Eye Care and Laser Center surgeon also creates the flap in this tissue.

EPITHELIUM - The epithelium provides a thin protective layer for the cornea and heals very quickly when disturbed. Healing of the epithelium is why visible results from PRK take longer to materialize.

IRIS - The colored part of your eye, it is actually a muscle that controls the size of the pupil.

PUPIL - The black circular area in the middle of the eye that controls the amount of light reaching the retina. Pupil size is important in determining whether a patient will have post-op laser vision correction glare. It will also influence the size of the laser treatment.

RETINA - A membrane on the inner wall of your eye, similar to the film in a camera, the retina changes light into images that are transferred to the brain via the optic nerve.

SCLERA - The outer white coat of the eye, the sclera also provides protection.

LENS - A natural lens behind the pupil that changes shape to allow the eye to focus. As you age, your natural lens cannot change shape, resulting in presbyopia – the loss of reading vision. For patients who are "too" nearsighted or have corneas that are too thin for laser vision correction, a clean lens extraction with an intraocular lens implantation is considered. During your consultation with the Physicians Eye Care and Laser Center surgeon, this may be the best option discussed.