Abstract: The effective optical zone (EOZ), a critical indicator for evaluating corneal refractive surgery outcomes, directly affects postoperative visual quality and complications. This review summarizes the definition of EOZ, measurement methods, and its variations under different surgical techniques (including LASIK, SMILE, PRK, and lenticule implantation) and refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism). Studies indicate that SMILE achieves a larger EOZ compared to LASIK and PRK, while high refractive corrections (myopia >6.00 D or hyperopia >3.00 D) may lead to significant EOZ reduction. Corneal topography (e.g., axial curvature difference method) is widely used for EOZ measurement in clinical practice, yet standardization remains challenging. Furthermore, EOZ correlates with postoperative higher-order aberrations, glare, and subjective visual quality, though minor EOZ deviations may not compromise patient satisfaction. Future directions include focusing on dynamic EOZ changes in low-to-moderate refractive corrections and establishing standardized measurement protocols. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2025, 49:  153-157)

Key words: protocols. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2025, 49: , 153-157)
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