Among many different methods for correcting vision, LASIK has become one of the most popular and effective options for people looking to lose their glasses and contact lenses. Moreover, did you know that LASIK eye surgery isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure? There are many different types of LASIK, and each one is tailored to your specific needs and eye conditions.
In today’s blog, we’re going to explore all types of LASIK eye surgery, explain how each one works, and who’s the right candidate. By the end of this article, you’ll understand what type of LASIK suits your needs the best.
LASIK Explained
LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve vision. With this type of procedure, eye doctors can correct refractive errors such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.
LASIK aims to ensure that light focuses accurately on the retina, delivering the patient clearer vision.
There are a couple of types of LASIK that utilize unique technologies based on the different patient needs and eye conditions. Let’s explore these in more detail.
LASIK Eye Surgery Types
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Traditional LASIK
Also called standard LASIK, traditional LASIK is the original procedure that paved the way for all other types later. This type uses a small surgical blade, microkeratome, to create a thin flap on the cornea. After the flap is lifted, an excimer laser then reshapes the cornea. At the end, the flap is turned back and repositioned to heal naturally.
Traditional LASIK is the best for patients with mild to moderate refractive errors and for those without significant corneal irregularities.
Standard LASIK has a proven track record of success and safety and a short recovery time. Most patients see improvement in their vision within 24 hours after the procedure. However, it’s slightly outdated compared to newer technologies that are being used now.
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Bladeless LASIK (All-Laser LASIK)
All-laser or bladeless LASIK takes traditional LASIK mentioned above a step further by replacing the surgical blade, used so far, with a femtosecond laser, making the procedure completely blade-free.
This type of LASIK is great for those looking for a blade-free option and patients with thinner corneas.
A femtosecond laser is very precise and can create ultra-thin flaps. However, this type of procedure is slightly expensive than the traditional LASIK.
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PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
Photorefractive keratectomy is a flap-free and bladless procedure. Instead of creating a flap, this procedure aims to directly reshape the cornea by gently removing the outer layer of the epithelium with an excimer laser. Later, the epithelium grows back naturally during the recovery.
PRK is best for patients with irregular or thin corneas. Also, the doctors recommend this procedure to everyone involved in contact sports, as there’s no flap to dislodge.
Furthermore, there’s no risk of flap complications. However, recovery time after the procedure is a bit longer compared to LASIK.
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Wavefront-Guided LASIK (Custom LASIK)
This type of LASIK uses advanced wavefront technology to create a personalized map of the patients eyes, as the names says itself. This personalized map detects and corrects unique imperfections in the patient’s vision, leading to sharper results.
It’s ideal for people with unique visual imperfections beyond refractive errors and those who demand peak visual clarity, for example, night drivers.
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Contoura Vision (Topography-Guided LASIK)
Contoura vision LASIK focuses on correcting corneal irregularities to improve vision and corneal symmetry, too. This procedure is FDA-approved and results in highly precise vision correction. Moreover, it’s perfect for patients who haven’t achieved optimal results from previous surgeries.
However, it’s not available in many clinics, so you need to know where you can access this amazing procedure.
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Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
SMILE is the newest LASIK method available currently in vision correction. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, and instead of creating a flap, this type of LASIK uses a femtosecond laser to create a small, lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue. This piece is called a lenticule and is removed through a small incision.
SMILE is the best for patients with myopia (nearsightedness) and mild astigmatism. This method offers faster recovery and reduced dryness after the procedure. However, it’s not suitable for farsightedness or higher degrees of astigmatism.
The Results
Most LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision, or even better, it depends on the type of the procedure. However, it’s essential to have realistic expectations. LASIK can correct your vision, but it’s not a guarantee that you wouldn’t need reading glasses or other vision aids later in life.
Now that you understand what LASIK is, and what different types of lasik surgery are available, the next step is to schedule a consultation with an eye doctor. Enjoy your new sight!
