[Current state of refractive surgery of the cornea and lens].

Refractive surgery includes all procedures which are primarily targeted at changing the refractive power of the eye. Currently laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is indicated to correct myopia of up to - 8 D, hyperopia up to + 3 D and astigmatism up to 5 D. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) are primarily recommended for myopia up to - 6 D and for greater refractive errors, phakic intraocular lenses (IOL) are the first choice (myopia greater than - 6 D and hyperopia greater than + 3 D). If presbyopia is present in addition to the high refractive error, refractive lens exchange is another alternative.