Astigmatism
A distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens.

Inflammation
The body's reaction to trauma, infection, or a foreign substance, often associated with pain, heat, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function.

Monovision
The purposeful adjustment of one eye for near vision and the other eye fordistance vision.

Dry Eye Syndrome
A common condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Common symptoms of dry eye include pain, stinging, burning, scratchiness, and intermittent blurring of vision.

Keratotomy
A surgical incision (cut) of the cornea.

Pupil
A hole in the center of the iris that changes size in response to changes in lighting. It gets larger in dim lighting conditions and gets smaller in brighter lighting conditions.

Lens
A part of the eye that provides some focusing power. The lens is able to change shape allowing the eye to focus at different distances.

Sclera
The tough, white, outer layer (coat) of the eyeball that, along with the cornea, protects the eyeball.

Microkeratome
A surgical device that is affixed to the eye by use of a vacuum ring. When secured, a very sharp blade cuts a layer of the cornea at a predetermined depth.

LASIK
The acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis which refers to creating a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea.