GD9 CTW fileÒ  Medical11, Ö Corrective laser surgery is no longer just a dream for a select few patients. In the last few years, it has grown in popularity and is becoming common. In corrective laser surgery, there are three types of surgical procedures that are being used with great success. In one procedure the surgeon uses a scalpel to make a series of small cuts to flatten the center of the cornea. In the second type of surgery, a thin layer of the outer membrane of the eye is scraped off. After that a laser, guided by a computer, zaps tissue on the cornea to correct vision. In the third type of surgery, the surgeon uses a blade to slice a thin flap on the surface of the eye. This flap is pulled back and then the laser reshapes the cornea below. Each procedure requires an expert surgeon as well as the finest and latest medical equipment to ensure safety and success. The last two options described earlier are the most popular and the most successful. The patient is awake during both procedures; there is very little pain or discomfort with both procedures. Some complications from the surgery can include a halo effect at night, sensitivity to light, and eye irritation; however, most of these are usually temporary. Many people recognize that they must weigh the risks against the benefits before they decide upon the type of procedure that is best for their needs. The inability to focus sharply for near vision is still not easily treatable with these procedures. Who knows what will come next.