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Laser Eye Surgery Glossary
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D
D/S
Abbreviation for dioptre sphere - the measurement of short/long sight.
Debridement
In this context this is the removal by the surgeon of tissue by gentle scraping of the eye's surface using a blunted hand-held instrument. Debrided epithelium regrows in 24-72 hours. Further reading
Descemet's membrane
The layer of the cornea between the stroma and endothelium. Five microns thick, this membrane provides an adhesion layer for the endothelium. Further reading
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, which can lead to vision loss. People with diabetes should have routine eye examinations so that diabetes-related problems can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Surgical and laser treatments can help many people affected with this condition but this is a different type of treatment to laser eye surgery. Further reading
Dilation
A process by which the pupil is enlarged, in order to see the back of the eye. Further reading
Dioptres
A measurement of refractive error. Hyperopia is measured in terms of positive diopters. Myopia is measured in terms of negative dioptres. Further reading
Dominant eye
Usually the eye used to focus a camera. During laser eye surgery, this eye is would usually be treated second if the patient is only having one eye treated at a time. Most of the time patients now have both eyes treated at the same sitting. Further reading
Double vision
Seeing two or more images, often shown with a prism reading on the prescription. Laser eye surgery can only treat the distance vision problem. If you are happy with the vision from contact lenses, then you should be suitable for laser eye surgery. Further reading
Dry eye
A syndrome characterised by corneal dryness due to deficient tear production. Further reading
