Another option that's fairly new is LTK (as opposed to PRK). LTK is laser thermal keratoplasty. That is only for low degrees of farsightedness or hyperopia. Without touching the eye, the laser reshapes the cornea by placing 16 tiny spots on the outside of the cornea. The whole procedure takes three seconds, and a minute or two after this procedure the farsightedness is gone and people can read without glasses. It's not for everyone. No procedure is for everyone, but it is very effective.

How does a person know if they should have one procedure over another?
JULIUS SHULMAN, MD: It comes down to talking to your doctor, trusting your doctor, and letting him guide you through this array of procedures to correct your vision. You can also get educated yourself by reading material, searching the Internet, and talking to other people, including your family doctor. But it really comes down to trusting your ophthalmologist.

There are certain people who are not necessarily candidates for LASIK or PRK. Would they still be candidates for, let's say, Intacs?
JULIUS SHULMAN, MD: Yes. In certain cases, someone who is not a good candidate for PRK or LASIK can have Intacs or LTK.

What is "wavefront" technology?
JULIUS SHULMAN, MD: Wavefront technology is being done in Europe, and it involves taking a light and shining it into the patient's eye. The light then comes out in a certain pattern which reflects any aberrations or abnormalities, and that pattern is programmed into the laser which is used for vision correction. This differs from regular laser correction in which it's your eyeglass prescription that is programmed into the laser. So theoretically this has the potential for making a perfect eye and giving you vision way beyond 20/20. It's still in its infancy but it's projected that vision of not only 20/20 but 20/10, 20/8, or 20/5 might be possible.