The most popular type of eye surgery is the Laser in-situ keratomileusis or Lasik. It utilizes a laser for the treatment of vision problems like astigmatism (blurred vision), hyperopia (farsightedness), and myopia (nearsightedness). However, there are many types of Lasik eye surgery which are discussed in this article.
Types of lasik eye surgery
- Wavefront Lasik: This is also known as Custom Lasik. This procedure is modified accordingly to an individual’s eye structure. This type includes the use of a wavefront analyzer and doctors create a 3-dimensional picture before performing the surgery of the patient’s eye. This type of technology help reduce the complications and provide a more precise vision correction.
- Intra-lase Lasik: This is also know as simply Intralasik or blade-less Lasik. Instead of a blade, it makes use of a laser to create the corneal flap. It is a safer alternative when compared to the traditional Lasik, as it reduces the risks of complications (such as irregular astigmatism or corneal surface abnormalities) that are associated with the blade use.
- PRK: Photo refractive keratectomy was the precursor of Lasik, which was approved in the year 1995 by the FDA. This procedure involves the laser use for removing the unwanted tissue to reshape the cornea. PRK is recommended for individuals who suffer with eye complications such as irregular-shaped eyeballs and flat or steep corneas.
- Lasek: Laser epithelial keratomileusis or Lasek uses a tool called trephine replacing the microkeratome blade. Some persons who have flat or thin corneas are at a greater risk of developing various complications after Lasik surgery, so for them Lasek is approved method in the laser eye surgery. Lasek has the recovery time of 4 days to a week.
- Epi-Lasik: It is a combination of procedures which are applied in Lasek and Lasik. In this type, an oscillating blade made of plastic is used to create the corneal flap. For patients with low myopia, it is the approved laser eye surgery.
- CK Lasik: Patients suffering with presbyopia and hyperopia have an option of undergoing CK (conductive keratoplasty), which makes use of heat and radio waves to reshape the cornea.
These are the types of Lasik eye surgery. It is better t take full guidance about the kind of surgery and its pros and cons before undergoing the treatment.
