What is refractive surgery?
Refractive surgery is any procedure that changes the eye’s focusing power in order to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses, and it includes corneal laser procedures as well as lens-based operations.
- Subject
- Vision correction
- Topic
- Refractive surgery basics
- Kind of question
- What is…
- Last reviewed
- 22 September 2026
In more detail
Corneal procedures change the shape of the front surface of the eye. Lens-based procedures replace or supplement the natural lens. They are used in different situations and are not interchangeable.
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Where this answer sits
It is one of 483 answers in the vision and eye health knowledge base, filed under Vision correction & laser eye surgery in Refractive surgery basics . The subject page carries the answers either side of it, and the hub is searchable.
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This information is for educational purposes and does not replace an examination by a qualified eye-care professional.
General answers cannot tell you what is happening in your own eyes. Only an examination by a qualified ophthalmologist can do that.
Sources & further reading
We prefer primary sources. Where a claim comes from a manufacturer, a single study or a regulator, it is labelled as such below.
- European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
A European professional society for refractive and cataract surgery, publishing guidance and outcome registries.
Used for Refractive surgery outcome measurement and reporting.
Link checked 22 September 2026