Refractive Surgery

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Farmington Hills, Garden City and Rochester Hills, MI

Refractive eye surgery is a broad category of treatments that improve refractive vision errors for clearer sight and to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. Refractive eye problems are one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the world. (1) There are many types of refraction errors that can be corrected with refractive eye surgery.

Yaldo Eye Center offers a wide range of cutting-edge treatments as a solution for refractive errors. Our skilled team is led by world-renowned Dr. Mazin Yaldo, a board-certified ophthalmologist and laser surgeon whose experience leads the field of refractive and vision correction surgery. He is a pioneer in the LASIK field, and provides precision, safety, and high-quality patient-focused care.

Schedule your consultation appointment as the first step to clearer sight. Call (248) 553-9800 to directly schedule with our conveniently located offices in Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, or Garden City, MI or submit our online contact form.

About Refractive Surgery

In normal, clear vision, the cornea and lens refract or bend light rays, focusing them on the retina. Refractive errors occur when the eye prevents light from focusing on the retina correctly. Refractive errors are caused by irregular eyeball shape or length, irregularities with the shape of the cornea, abnormalities or aging of the lenses. (2) Common types of refractive errors include:

  • Nearsightedness (Myopia): Light focuses in front of the retina so objects in the distance are blurry.
  • Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Light focuses behind the retina so objects up close are blurry.
  • Astigmatism: When the lens or cornea is unevenly curved, it causes blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
  • Presbyopia: As the eye lens ages, it loses flexibility, making it difficult for adults over 40 to see things up close.

Just as there are many refractive vision errors, there are a wide range of popular surgical and revolutionary laser refractive error eye treatments. (3) No matter your specific vision issue, Yaldo Eye Center has a solution.

There are two different categories of refractive eye procedures: surgical and laser options.

Laser Procedures

  • LASIK: Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most commonly performed laser eye procedure. It uses a laser to reshape the cornea and improve vision through a small flap access point. There are several LASIK variations to address a wide array of vision issues. LASIK treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. LASIK patients report quicker healing times with vision that improves rapidly.
  • PRK: Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) removes the outer layer of cornea and the laser reshapes the cornea without a flap. Recovery is slower than LASIK, but during healing, the surface grows back naturally, making it a great option for those with thin corneas or an incredibly active lifestyle or job.
  • LASEK: Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) is an advanced version of PRK. The outer layer of the cornea is moved to the side and then a laser reshapes the cornea. After reshaping, the outer layer is repositioned over the cornea.
  • SMILE: Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) uses a laser to form a tiny disk of corneal tissue which the surgeon removes to reshape the cornea. SMILE is effective at treating astigmatism and nearsightedness

Lens replacement surgery

  • ICL: Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) are soft, artificial lenses placed inside the eye between the iris and the natural lens without reshaping or removing any tissue. ICL lens placement is like putting a permanent contact lens in the eye. It doesn’t reshape the eye and the natural lens stays intact. There are a wide range of lenses that can treat many vision issues.
  • CLE: Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to correct your vision. There is a wide variety of clear lenses, including multi-focal lenses that create optimal results at all distances. Depending on the lens chosen, CLE can treat nearsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. CLE is the same procedure used to treat cataracts, so for patients with cataracts, this procedure can be a dual solution.

Benefits

Refractive surgery improves quality of life by creating sharper, clearer vision and less reliance on glasses or contact lenses. The long-lasting effects of refractive surgery improve everyday activities and support active lifestyles.

Candidates

Candidates that will see the best outcomes from refractive eye surgery should have stable vision for the past year, realistic expectations, and the understanding that glasses or contacts might still be needed. Candidates have been struggling with:

  • Blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Eye strain
  • Squinting to see clearly
  • Trouble focusing (especially when reading or looking at a computer)
  • Hazy vision
  • Double vision
  • Glare or halo around bright lights stable vision for the past year
  • Tired eyes

Personal Consultation

After a comprehensive eye exam (that measures 15 areas of the eye) and a review of your medical history and treatment goals, Dr. Yaldo will discuss the various treatment options with you. He will share the benefits, limitations, treatment details, and recovery timelines of each procedure so you are confident in your decision. Dr. Yaldo will develop a customized procedure plan tailored to your specific vision issues.

Explore your vision improvement options by calling our offices at (248) 553-9800 or submitting our online contact form to schedule your consultation appointment today!

Preparation

As part of your personalized treatment plan, we will provide you with detailed preparation instructions. It is important to follow these directions closely to facilitate a smooth procedure, efficient recovery, and maximized results. Recommendations often include stopping contact use before the procedure and arranging transportation home after treatment.

Procedure

Your specific outpatient refractive surgery will vary based on your vision issues, and Dr. Yaldo will precisely follow your individual treatment plan. Yaldo Eye Center’s patient-centered approach is designed to support you throughout the entire process. We are here to help you have a safe, comfortable, and effective treatment so you can enjoy the results of clearer vision. Before beginning treatment, Dr. Yaldo will administer local anesthesia eye drops to make sure you are comfortable during the procedure. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Yaldo will begin the procedure. He will expertly treat your vision issues, reshaping, repositioning, or implanting lenses as needed. Initially after your procedure, we will monitor you for a brief period of time before you are cleared to go rest at home with your trusted driver.

Recovery

There may be some initial discomfort such as dry eye, itching, or burning sensations that will subside quickly. You will receive prescription eyedrops and pain medications to treat any effects. Most patients return to work in 1-2 days.

Results

Refractive eye surgery creates immediate improvements in vision. Depending on the procedure, the full, clearer results will develop over several months and complete healing will happen by six months. The vision improvements will be long-lasting, although age-related vision changes may still occur.

Cost of Refractive Surgery in Detroit, Michigan

The cost of your refractive eye surgery will vary depending on your vision issues and treatment plan. At Yaldo Eye Center, we make vision care affordable for our patients. You may qualify for financing options, and you are welcome to explore our regular special offers. We will work with you closely to find the best payment methods for you. To explore your payment options, schedule your consultation appointment by calling (248) 553-9800 or submitting our online contact form.

FAQ

What are eye refraction errors?

Eye refraction errors are one of the most common vision issues in the world.(2) They occur when the shape of the eye stops light rays from focusing correctly on the retina. Common refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

How is LASIK different from refractive surgery?

LASIK is the most popular type of refractive surgery. LASIK is a specific procedure that uses a laser to cut a tiny flap and reshape the cornea tissue. Refractive surgery is a broad category that is not limited to LASIK, there are many other procedures that correct vision refraction errors (which is when the eye incorrectly bends light).

What is refractive surgery?

Refractive eye surgery addresses vision problems that are caused when the eye improperly bends light. There are many effective surgical and laser based techniques that create clearer vision and can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts.

How long does it take to see again after refractive surgery?

You will be able to see fairly well immediately after surgery. You may experience discomfort, dry eye, or itching, but you will still be able to see. Depending on the specific refractive surgery you receive, you may see immediate improvements to your vision or it may take up to several months for your improved vision to stabilize.

Can I address both eyes at once?

Again, it depends on your particular refractive treatment. Many procedures can treat both eyes at the same time, and Dr. Yaldo will tailor your treatment plan to address your individual vision issues.

What is the difference between CLE and RLE?

Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) are different names for the same procedure. During this treatment Dr. Yaldo will replace the natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant which will focus light and improve vision.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Blindness and vision impairment. world health organization. August 10, 2023. Accessed August 28, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment
  2. Huang L, Zhang D, Liu M. Global trends in refractive disorders from 1990 to 2021: insights from the global burden of disease study and predictive modeling. Front Public Health. 2025;13:1449607. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1449607
  3. 3.Vestergaard AH. Past and present of corneal refractive surgery. Acta Ophthalmologica. 2014;92(thesis2):1-21. doi:10.1111/aos.12385