Is laser eye surgery a plastic surgery?

Laser eye surgery, also known as refractive surgery, is not considered a plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on reconstructing, repairing, or altering the human body's appearance. The goal of plastic surgery is to improve function, aesthetics, or both.

Laser eye surgery, on the other hand, is a medical procedure that aims to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. It uses laser technology to reshape the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye, to change its focusing power. By altering the corneal curvature, laser eye surgery allows light to focus accurately on the retina, resulting in clearer vision.

The primary purpose of laser eye surgery is to improve visual function and reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. While it may have some aesthetic benefits by reducing the dependency on glasses or contacts, it is not primarily performed for cosmetic reasons.

Laser eye surgery is performed by ophthalmologists, who are medical doctors specializing in eye care and vision correction. It is considered a safe and effective procedure with high patient satisfaction rates.