Eye surgery serves a number of purposes, including improving vision; adjusting eye movement or tracking; and treating diseases of the eye like glaucoma and cataracts. The meticulous nature of this brand of surgery requires extreme specialization.

Eye surgery always involves a degree of anesthesia, though brief procedures often use little more than a topical, local anesthetic. Usually, a local anesthetic is all that's technically needed, though apprehensive patients and children usually require something more substantial. Due to the meticulous nature of this surgery, a high level of restraint and cooperation on behalf of the patient is important.

Cataract surgery is the most common form of eye surgery. In this procedure, doctors clear a cloudy, crystalline layer from the lens. In some cases, the lens must be completely removed and replaced with a synthetic component.

Refractive surgery has become commonplace in recent years. The goal is to reduce or eliminate the patient's need for glasses or contact lenses by correcting the refractive surface of the cornea. This procedure often involves the use of lasers, though the instruments and techniques used depend on the specific ailment.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that stems from pressure on the optic nerve. Doctors treat this condition by releasing excess fluid to lower intraocular pressure (or IOP). Modern developments in treating glaucoma have led to canalplasty, a less invasive technique that is possible in some cases. Fluid is drained through a tiny catheter that taps into the eye's existing drainage system.

Recovery time for minor operations is minimal, though patients need to avoid bright, direct light for a short time. A more substantial recovery period is in order when significant cuts and reconstructive surgery have taken place.