DIFFERENT TYPES OF LASER EYE SURGERY
With several safe laser eye surgery procedures available today, many people now consider these as an alternative to wearing glasses or contact lenses. LASIK surgery is the best known, but there are other options available, so it is important to understand which procedure is best for you. The first step toward better vision is to find an expert who specializes in laser eye surgery.
Types of Laser Eye Surgery
LASIK surgery can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With LASIK surgery, a blade is used to make a small incision in the outer layer of the cornea to produce a flap. A high-precision laser is then used to carefully reshape and smooth the cornea so it will better focus light on the retina, producing clearer vision.
iLASIK surgery combines the bladeless IntraLase laser with wavefront guided measurement techniques. This combination allows for a precise flap creation along with custom cornea reshaping (also called “ablation”) for near-perfect vision.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) surgery works in generally the same way as LASIK, by reshaping the cornea of the eye so that it works better at focusing incoming light. Its advantage is that it can be used for patients whose cornea may be too thin to make the corneal flap required for LASIK surgery, or for patients who are active in sports. The improvement in vision achieved after PRK is gradual and can take longer than that obtained with LASIK, but PRK is preferred by many surgeons for particular cases.
Custom LASIK surgery utilizes a 3D system to create a map of the patient’s eye, including eye depth and shape, to identify the locations causing visual distortions. The measurements obtained are used to help the surgeon more accurately shape the cornea. Custom LASIK surgery has been shown to reduce glare and halos, and to significantly improve night vision.
Which Procedure is Best?
While LASIK surgery is most commonly performed, you might be better suited for one of the other options. After a complete and thorough examination and consultation, your surgeon will be able to help you determine whether you are a good candidate for surgery.
When considering LASIK surgery, It is important to choose a surgeon who:
- Has significant expertise in each surgical option;
- Has conducted numerous successful surgeries;
- Utilizes state-of-the-art technology;
- Is committed to providing each patient with the information needed to make an informed decision; and
- Is accessible before, during, and after the procedure to address concerns or questions.
When performed by a highly-skilled surgeon committed to providing the best care possible, laser eye surgery is a safe method to quickly and painlessly improve vision and enhance quality of life.
Patients should consult their ophthalmologist to determine whether custom or conventional laser eye surgery would be their best option.
To determine whether custom or conventional LASIK surgery is the best option for you, please contact us for a no-obligation exam and consultation. We’ll conduct a thorough and complete examination of your eyes to determine whether you are a good candidate for surgery.