Laser Vision Correction Surgery Options

There are several different options available for laser vision correction surgery which helps to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The most popular is LASIK which stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis. This is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed in one visit at your eye doctor’s office without the need for an overnight hospital stay. The actual procedure when the doctor uses the laser only takes five minutes or less. Pretty cool to have such a beneficaial life-changing result in such a little amount of time.

Other Types of Laser Vision Correction Surgery as Alternatives to LASIK

LASIK without a flap – PRK, Advanced Surface Treatment, Lasek, Epi-Lasik

An option for those people who cannot undergo the normal LASIK procedure due to thin corneas, very dry eyes, unusual curvature of the the cornea and is a more safe procedure due to any of those conditions. A couple of disadvantages must be noted for this type of procedure. One is that this type of eye surgery takes longer to heal and you will not be able to do your normal vision activities such as long periods of reading for a week. Often people choose to do one eye at a time for this reason. The other downfall is pain and discomfort during that first week which can be alleviated somewhat with eye drops and pain medication.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

PRK was invented in the early 1980s and was the primary laser eye surgery performed before the popular LASIK was developed. This procedure is still widely used today, preferred by surgeons to be used on patients with different shaped eyes such as very large pupils or, as mentioned above, thin corneas. Again, the disadvantage of this procedure over traditional LASIK is that it takes longer for patients to attain better vision and there is more discomfort.

Lasek

Lasek is not Lasik mispelled. Lasek stands for Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratomileusis and is alternative to LASEK surgery. Lasek differs from Lasik in that, instead of using a microkeratome to cut the flap at the front of the eye, a very fine blade called a trephine is used. After the flap is cut, an alcohol solution is applied to loosen the edges to allow for an easier flap removal. The epithelium is cut to a thickness of 50 microns while the stroma is left uncut. Uses a trephine, a finer blade than that used in LASIK. An excimer laser ablates corneal tissue under the epithelial flap. An alcohol solution helps lift the epithelium. Lasek is a better choice for poor LASIK candidates including people with less corneal tissue, fewer haze outcomes than LASIK, preserves more corneal tissue than LASIK, no complications of stromal flap as in LASIK, less risk of dry eye than LASIK.

Epi-Lasik

Similar to PRK and LASEK, Epi-Lasik creates a flap of the epithelium that is moved aside and replaced over the area treated with the excimer laser. Epi-Lasik is a type of laser vision correction that is just slightly different that traditional Lasik. Instead of using the thin blade of the microkeratome to create the flap at the front of the eye, a blunt plastic tool called an epithelial separator is used. The epithelial separator is used to displace the flap instead of using alcohol, which is used in some laser vision corrective surgeries and can kill epithelial cells. Epi-Lasik attempts to provide the best of both Lasik and PRK/LASEK. By using a blunt blade to lift the epithelium in a single sheet, the epithelium is a much more viable entity. The repositioned epithelium acts as a bandage while the underlying cornea heals. Although current studies are inconclusive if patient outcomes are better with Epi-Lasik when compared to PRK or LASEK, many studies have shown that the surface ablation class of Epi-Lasik, LASEK, and PRK provides better outcomes than Lasik and All-Laser Lasik.

These are just some of the different types of laser vision correction surgery that can be performed to treat astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. You should make an appointment with your eye doctor to see which procedure would best suit your eyes in order to get the best results from surgery. Each has it own benefits and risks and should be discussed with your doctor.

Here are some California Laser Vision Correction Surgery Facilities you may want to visit:
California Lasik Surgery Locations