Cataract Removal - More than 1 million cataract operations are performed in the United States each year. Cataract surgeries fall into two groups:

• Intracapsular - Both the lens and the protective capsule that surrounds it are removed. Once standard, this has been largely replaced by extracapsular surgery.

• Extracapsular - Only the lens is removed. The front of the capsule is opened and ultrasonic waves break the lens into pieces (known as phacoemulsification). The pieces are vacuumed out of the capsule.

If the lens is too hard for phacoemulsification, the intracapsular procedure is performed, removing the entire cataract-lens and capsule. Once the cataract is removed, it is usually replaced by an artificial lens.

Usually, intraocular lenses (IOL) replace the eyes' natural lenses. IOL are clear, plastic lenses that are inserted in the lens capsule during the extracapsular procedure. Vision is restored to 20/40 or better in more than 90 percent of cases. You cannot see or feel the lens, and it needs no special care.

If you are not a candidate for IOL, as in intracapsular surgery, you will need special glasses or contacts designed for those without natural lenses.

Corneal grafting - In a procedure called epikeratophakia, an eye surgeon grafts a layer of corneal epithelial (surface or skin-like) cells from the patient's own cornea (in the upper layer around the central cone) to build up and flatten the slope of the cornea. The success rate compares to that of corneal transplants. One advantage is that it does not require donated tissue.

Corneal transplant - In the transplant, the cone-shaped cornea is removed and replaced with a donated cornea. The success rate is 90 percent, much higher than that of other organ transplants because the cornea does not contain or require blood. After the operation, about 60 percent of patients still require glasses or contacts to further correct their nearsightedness.

Laser surgery - Laser surgery can be used to unblock drainage canals, and thus relieve the ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

LASIK - LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism may eliminate the need for corrective eyewear. During the procedure, tissue from beneath the surface of the cornea is removed, reshaping the cornea to focus light on the retina. For optimal results, more than one procedure may be necessary, and prescription lenses may still be required. The procedure can be performed only a limited number of times to maintain minimum thickness of the cornea. Long-term risks associated with this surgery include:

• over-correction
• under-correction
• sensitivity to glare
• seeing halos around lights
• poor night vision
• daily shifts in the ability to focus
• increased risk of corneal rupture or scarring

Muscular reconstruction - The eye muscles may be surgically repositioned to restore permanent control of the weaker eye. If cataracts are the cause of the amblyopia, they must be surgically removed. After cataract removal, an artificial lens can restore focus, and eventually restore strength to the weaker eye. Other surgical procedures may also be beneficial when other eye diseases are the cause. Frequently, repeat surgery must be performed to keep the eyes aligned. Vision therapy and corrective glasses may be prescribed before and after surgery.

Trabeculectomy - If neither topical eye drops nor laser surgery is appropriate, a trabeculectomy may be performed. This is a conventional procedure in which the surgeon creates an opening in the trabecular meshwork so fluid can drain directly out of the eye. A trabeculectomy is usually reserved for moderate to severe cases of glaucoma.

Transpupillary thermotherapy - Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) is an experimental treatment for Macular Degeneration in which heat is transferred through the pupil to help seal the leaky blood vessels under the macula.

Vitrectomy - In cases of vitreous hemorrhage in which the blood does not clear up over time or in the rare case that vision is almost entirely clouded by spots and floaters, a vitrectomy may be recommended. In this procedure, the vitreous humor is extracted and replaced with saline solution. Light passes through the clear solution and sight is restored. This is usually a last resort due to the high risk of total blindness associated with the procedure.