Chemistry: Concepts and Applications

Chapter 2: Matter is Made up of Atoms

WebQuest Projects

LASER EYE SURGERY

Introduction

In this WebQuest, students do some Internet research on laser eye surgery. They learn about the types of vision problems that may be corrected through laser eye surgery. They learn about several different types of laser eye surgery, including LASIK and PRK. They discover which types of laser eye surgery are best for correcting particular vision problems. They also learn about some of the disadvantages of laser eye surgery. Finally, they answer some questions about laser eye surgery and decide if this type of operation is something they would consider for themselves.

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Task

While students are doing their Internet research, they will try to answer the set of questions given. Each web site has some of the answers to the questions, but several of the questions require information from two or more of the web sites. Students should be able to learn about the structure of the eye as they research this topic. A few of the web sites also include illustrations that demonstrate laser eye surgery procedures, and two of them include actual photographs of the procedures discussed. Students should be able to answer the questions easily. In their research they should discover that most surgeons will not work on anyone younger than 18 because they are still growing and their vision has not yet stabilized.

Objectives

  • Research vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

  • Identify the type of laser eye surgery that can correct different types of vision problems.

  • Describe the procedures used in both LASIK and PRK laser eye surgeries.

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Resources

Students will use the Internet links given to find out all about laser eye surgery. They will learn about types of vision problems that can be corrected with laser eye surgery. They will learn about the procedures used in LASIK and PRK surgeries. They will also learn about who is, and is not, a candidate for this type of vision correction. Students will use what they have learned to decide if they would be interested in laser eye surgery to correct their own vision problems.

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Time

1 class period for research and answering the set of questions.

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Process

As students progress through the list of web sites, you may help them to focus on what they need to know to answer the questions given. Several of the web sites have many links to other web sites. If time allows, you may want to allow students to explore this subject further.

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Evaluation

You may assign 10 points to each of the first five questions, and 50 points to question 6, for a total of 100 possible points. The answers to the questions are given below. You may rate the answers to each question by the following scale: Excellent: 9-10 points; Very Good: 7-8 points; Good: 5-6 points; Satisfactory: 3-4 points; Poor: 1-2 points; and Unsatisfactory: 0 points.

Questions about Laser Eye Surgery

  1. myopia (nearsightedness); hyperopia (farsightedness); astigmatism (distorted vision)
  2. an excimer laser
  3. LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis; PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy
  4. LASIK surgery can correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism; PRK surgery can correct myopia, mild to moderate hyperopia, and astignatism
  5. pregnant women, or people with diabetes, glaucoma, vascular disease, autoimmune disease, or other diseases of the eyes
  6. Student answers will vary. Make sure that students have supported their answers by facts from their Internet research.

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Conclusion

Using information gathered from the Internet, students should be able to answer the questions given about laser eye surgery. Students should be able to draw some conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of laser eye surgery as a method to correct vision problems. Students should be able to decide if this type of surgery is something they would be interested in having when they are old enough to make such a decision.

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