Types of Laser Eye Surgery
If you are interested in laser eye surgery, you may be wondering what types of procedures are available in this day and age. In this article, we do provide you with some basic information about the different laser eye surgery procedures that are available to you in this day and age. Armed with this information, you will be able to make a determination as to what laser eye surgery will be best for you and your vision needs.
Specific Types of Laser Eye Surgery
Also called refractive surgery, laser eye surgery is a popular alternative to glasses and contact lenses. This term encompasses the following procedures:
- LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis)
- LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis)
- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)
- AK (astigmatic keratotomy)
- CK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LTK (laser thermal keratoplasty)
What is LASIK?
In LASIK, a small disc-shaped flap is cut in the cornea, which then allows the surgeon to remove corneal material and change the shape of the eye surface to improve vision. In LASEK the principle is the same, except the flap is only made in the surface layer of the cornea and is softened and loosened with alcohol instead of cut by a blade. This procedure is often for those who are not candidates for the regular LASIK procedure.
New Techniques in LASIK
A new technique in LASIK therapy is the wavefront procedure. Wavefront is computer software that maps and measures the visual field. Wavefront technology has made custom LASIK procedures 25 percent more accurate, and is often used to correct mistakes from prior eye surgeries.
A Variation of LASIK
Another variation of LASIK is the IntraLasik procedure. A laser is used to create the corneal flap instead of a metal blade. It takes a little longer to make the flap, but is considered superior. When coupled with the Wavefront software, IntraLasik becomes the state-of-the-art in laser eye surgery.
PRK Procedures
A surgeon who performs PRK scrapes the tissue of the cornea away, then uses lasers to reshape the layers below. There is no risky corneal flap, although the recovery time is longer than LASIK and there is more discomfort after surgery. PRK is reserved for nearsightedness, mild farsightedness, and astigmatism.
AK and Other Treatments
Astigmatic keratotomy (AK) treats only astigmatism. In this procedure, the surgeon will make small incisions in strategic places of the cornea to flatten out certain areas. CK and LTK, procedures to correct farsightedness, use heat to perform the refractive function. However, CK uses radio waves and LTK uses lasers. In LTK, the surgeon uses the heat from the laser to shrink the collage around the cornea.
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