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For Jeri Goldstein everything was a blur. Without her contact lenses she couldn't distinguish people, the scenes on television, the stars at night, and, generally, the world at large. Then, in March 1998, the 49-year-old California resident had eye surgery, and all that changed.

"After wearing contact lenses for 35 years, you can't imagine the freedom I felt," says Goldstein.

Goldstein underwent refractive eye surgery, an elective procedure intended to correct common eye disorders, known as refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (distorted vision). Although there are several types of surgical techniques being performed today to correct refractive errors, laser refractive correction is fast becoming the most technologically advanced method available, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in San Francisco. Doctors say it allows for an unparalleled degree of precision and predictability.

"Laser surgery is the most exciting advancement in ophthalmology," says James J. Salz, M.D., clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and the doctor who performed Goldstein's surgery. But surprisingly, he says, despite its sudden popularity, "only 20 percent of ophthalmologists in the United States today are trained in its operation."

The Food and Drug Administration first approved the excimer laser in October 1995 for correcting mild to moderate nearsightedness. With that approval, the agency also restricted use of the laser to practitioners trained both in laser refractive surgery and in the calibration and operation of the laser. Currently, the excimer laser has been approved for use in a procedure called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and, as of November 1998, for a procedure called laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK).

Robert M. Adrian, M.D., F.A.C.P. took his bachelor's degree at Georgetown University. After completing a graduate degree in Biochemistry, Dr. Adrian entered Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he was graduated Magna Cum Laude and valedictorian in 1975.

After completing an Internal Medicine residency at Georgetown University Medical Center, he was accepted as Fellow in Dermatology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Adrian subsequently completed a photomedicine fellowship at the renowned Wellman Labs at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Adrian is certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Academy of Dermatology. He is currently listed in "Best Doctors In America" published by Woodward White. He has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Dr. Adrian lectures extensively on laser applications and has conducted many clinical research studies in laser medicine. Dr. Adrian has personally trained over 4,000 physicians in laser surgical techniques. He has published numerous medical articles pertaining to dermatology and laser surgery.