Types Of Corrective Eye Surgery
There are several types of corrective eye surgery. These types range from reshaping the eye's surface using laser technology to a procedure requiring surgical insertion of artificial lenses. In the past 25 years, laser technology has rapidly evolved, providing various types of corrective eye surgery procedures. With these various types now available, one need to know which type best suits one's needs.
The most common types of procedure are LASIK and PRK. These corrective eye surgery procedures involve laser energy to reshape the eye's cornea (the eye's clear front surface curvature); thereby altering the way light rays penetrate the eye. Another popular procedure is the insertion of artificial lenses into the eye to refocus light rays, effectively sharpening one's vision.
Corrective Eye Surgery through Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
This type of corrective eye surgery was the first successful procedure which uses laser technology. Also identified as surface ablation (to change the cornea's curvature), this procedure was widely performed outside of the US in the 1980s until it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1995. Today, this procedure is commonly used but is not as popular as the LASIK procedure. Corrective Eye Surgery through Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) This procedure is almost similar to the PRK procedure. Its main difference is a thin, hinged flap which is lifted before laser energy is applied underneath the flap to reshape the eye. This flap is made in the surface of the eye. Once the eye is reshaped, the flap is replaced and becomes a natural bandage. This corrective eye surgery procedure has different types, which mainly differ on how the flap is made. (1) All-Laser LASIK - this procedure uses another laser instead of using a mechanical cutting device to create the flap. The laser used for this corrective eye surgery is made by the IntraLase Corporation, so this procedure is sometimes called as IntraLASIK. (2) LASEK - this procedure requires an ultra-thin hinged flap to be created in the eye's thin outer covering. This hinged flap is then floated with alcohol to keep it away from the eye's surface, to reshape the eye with laser. (3) Epi-LASIK - this corrective eye surgery technique is similar to LASEK. Its main difference is the special cutting device it uses to lift the flap, thereby eliminating any unpleasant reaction to the alcohol which is placed on the surface of the eye in LASEK procedure. Differences of PRK and LASIK The PRK procedure's main difference from LASIK primarily includes quicker nerve regeneration in the surface of the eye. This reduces dry eyes and other complications during the healing process. It also avoids complications in surgical flaps as it is a surface corrective eye surgery procedure and is proven to be a safer procedure for those with thin corneas. However, discomfort lasts for days, depending on the healing process whereas for LASIK, there is very little or even no discomfort after a procedure. One's vision is also clear just within hours after LASIK. Given these differences, be sure to discuss each type with your ophthalmologist first before undergoing a corrective eye surgery.
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