Laser Eye Surgery (LASEK)- Ophthalmology

Laser eye surgery is a type of surgery used to correct vision. It uses lasers to reshape the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye.

People who have problems seeing things too far or too close can benefit from this surgery. Besides, those with blurred vision (astigmatism) may also consider laser energy surgery.

If you are already wearing glasses or contact lens, laser eye surgery can be a safe and effective alternative. Talk to your surgeon to learn if laser eye surgery is for you.

Types of Laser Eye Surgery

Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK)

This is the most common type and uses two lasers. The surgeon uses the first laser to cut open a thin flap in the cornea. Then, they use the second laser to reshape the tissues in the cornea. After reshaping, the flap is repositioned.

Notably, the entire procedure barely takes more than 10 minutes to complete and does not require stitches.

Laser thermokeratoplasty or Laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK)

This procedure reshapes the cornea by using heat derived from a laser beam. It is suitable for people aged more than 40 years who have problems seeing nearby objects (farsightedness) or astigmatism.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

During PRK, the surgeon first numbs your eyes with eye drops. Then, they remove the outer covering of the cornea and reshape the cornea with the help of a laser. PRK is beneficial for those with thinner corneas.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)

The surgeon creates a small hole in the cornea with the help of a laser. Then, they cut, extract, and reshape the tissues through this hole. You may be a candidate for SMILE if you are not able to clearly see farther objects (nearsightedness) or have astigmatism.

Why You Should Consult an Expert before Going for Laser Eye Surgery

All the types of laser eye surgery carry certain benefits and risks. Moreover, the success of the surgery depends on your age, the severity of the problem, and expectations.

Thus, it is important to seek expert consultation before opting for a surgery. Doing so will cut the risks and improve the success rate.

Sources:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK447969/
• https://medlineplus.gov/lasereyesurgery.html
• https://www.zeiss.com/meditec-patient/int/laser-eye-surgery/treatment-options/treatment-comparison.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1771184/
• https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/photorefractive-keratectomy-prk

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