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Laser Eye Surgery Glossary
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C
Cataract removal
Removal of the cloudy crystalline lens from the eye. Surgical removal of cataracts and replacement with an artificial lens (called an Intra ocular lens) is the most successful surgical procedure in the country. This is performed on an out-patient basis under local anesthesia.
Choroid
The brownish membrane of the eyeball between the sclera (outer) and the retina (inner). Further reading
Ciliary body
The part of the eye that connects the choroid with the iris. Further reading
Complications
During the healing process after laser eye surgery, patients may experience pain on waking up, tenderness, grittiness, glare around lights at night (halos), droopy eye lids, slight double vision or loss of best visual sharpness. These effects reduce gradually and rarely persist in the long term.
Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
CK is designed to treat your near vision using the controlled release of radio frequency energy to strengthen the cornea - this eye surgery procedure does not use a laser or any cutting, therefore is minimally invasive, safe and convenient alternative to reading glasses.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is redness and soreness (inflammation) of the clear covering (the conjunctiva) which coats the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eye lids. This comes on relatively quickly and lasts for a fairly short time. Conjunctivitis may clear on its own, but often needs treatment from your doctor. This condition needs to have cleared up before you can have laser eye surgery. Further reading
Consultant ophthalmic surgeon/Ophthalmologist
In order to become a consultant in the UK a doctor must be on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council (GMC). Entry to the Specialist Register is with the CCST (Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training) or through equivalent qualifications under the European Union Law.
Consultation
A free appointment with Ultralase where we assess your suitability for laser eye surgery.
Contrast sensitivity
A measurement of how well a person can distinguish objects against a background - usually more difficult in dim light. Further reading
Cornea
The outer part of the eye that provides 70% of the eye's refractive power. The cornea is approximately 500 microns thick and consists of 5 layers epithelium, Bowman's membrane, stroma, Descemet's membrane and endothelium. Further reading
Corneal abrasion
The temporary loss of some of the cells of epithelium, usually by the surface being rubbed. Further reading
Crystalline Lens
The lens or crystalline lens is a transparent, biconvex structure in the eye that, along with the cornea, helps to refract light to focus on the retina. Its function is thus similar to a man-made spectacle lens. Further reading
Custom Ablation
This refers to Wavefront guided laser eye surgery treatment. When the laser has been programmed specifically for the patient's irregularities of cornea based on their topography or on Wavefront scans.
Cylinder
A type of lower order aberration associated with astigmatism. See Aberrations.
