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Types of Corrective Eye Surgery |
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Written by Webmaster
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By Dennis Tavies
 While Lasik may be the most popular type of corrective eye surgery, it is not the only one being performed. All of the following types of corrective eye surgery are laser surgeries, yet they each differ slightly and it may be that small difference that will determine which surgery is best for you.
LASEK
Similar to Lasik, Lasek is often performed on people with thin corneas who would make poor candidates for Lasik eye surgery. With Lasek eye surgery, only the outer layer of the cornea is cut; therefore, not as much of the cornea is removed. Alcohol is used to loosen the flap, so the risk to the cornea is not nearly as great. Lasek is a newer corrective eye surgery and is used to treat astigmatism and farsightedness, as well as nearsightedness.
Although a blade is used with Lasek, it is a finer blade than the microkeratome that is used with Lasik.
Longer healing times have been experienced with Lasek. While patients who have Lasik eye surgery often see well the day after surgery, Lasek
patients may take up to two weeks to see well again. This longer recovery time is probably the biggest drawback to Lasek eye surgery as patients have to take more time off from work.
Epi-LASIK
No blade or alcohol is used to cut through the cornea in the Epi-lasik procedure. Instead, a plastic separator is used to separate the epithelial sheet from the eye. The same excimer laser used in Lasik is used in Epi-Lasik to reshape the corneal tissue. After this corrective eye surgery, a special contact lens is used to keep the epithelial flap in place until it reattaches itself. People can usually see well enough to drive after about a week; however, it may take up to six months to reach the final results.
Bladeless LASIK
Although very similar to regular Lasik eye surgery, no blade is used to create the flap. Rather, another laser is used. IntraLase, the technology used to create the flap, may be safer than the more popular bladed Lasik eye surgery. Although complications are relatively rare, an oscillating blade presents more opportunity for an accident to occur.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
With PRK corrective eye surgery, no flap is made in the cornea at all. The surgeon skips right to the next step and uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. If youre nearsighted, the surgeon will attempt to flatten the cornea. If youre farsighted, the surgeon will attempt to make the cornea steeper.
When considering laser eye surgery, get all of the facts before you make an informed decision. Although the success rates for these types of surgeries are impressive, no corrective eye surgery is one hundred percent safe or successful.
Dennis Tavies interviews patients who have experienced corrective eye surgery and publishes his findings through a series of articles. Read more at Info 4 Eye Surgery. |
