Refractive Surgery – patient information to assist informed consent
This 6-page RANZCO patient education pamphlet provides information on the different types of refractive surgery. The topics discussed include:
- Normal anatomy of the eye
- Myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia
- Candidates for surgery
- Diagnosis and eye tests prior to surgery.
The different types of refractive surgery are described with accompanying anatomical illustrations. The surgical procedures discussed include:
- Excimer laser
- LASIK (Laser in situ keratomileusis)
- Advanced surface ablation (LASEK)
- Wavefront ablation
- Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
- Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
- Intraocular lens implants (phakic)
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
- Enhancement surgery.
The presbyopia treatments discussed include: presby-LASIK, refractive lens exchange with multifocal intraocular lenses, corneal inlays and mono-vision.
This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients as the benefits, risks and limitations of refractive surgery are discussed in detail. The possible complications of treatment are listed on page 6 to assist the informed-consent process.
Mi-tec publishes 16 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology patient information brochures. Refractive surgery is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RANZCO patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.