Types of Refractive Laser Eye Surgery

These surgical procedures in refractive surgery correct refractive errors effectively by changing the focus of the eye.

In short, Refractive surgery basically focuses to reduce a person’s dependence on contact lens and spectacles. Not only does it bring ease, convenience, but there is also less concern and hassle about infections related to contact lens. 

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis combine two methods of surgery to fix the refractive error.

Initially, a laser known as a surgical blade or femtosecond laser called a microkeratome makes a thin flap in the cornea. After this, an excimer laser shapes the underlying cornea into a new form to fix the refractive error. 

 Then the flap is repositioned and sticks on its own within minutes.

 Eye ointment/drops are placed in the eyes to smooth the healing process.  Usually, the vision recovery is fast, and there is very less chance of pain.

PRK stands for Photorefractive surgery which reduces low to moderate hyperopia, low to high myopia as well as astigmatism. In this type of refractive surgery, the epithelium, (the layer of cells causing the cornea, is removed and the laser sculpts the cornea to fix the refractive error. 

Generally, a contact lens is placed on the eye following the method to enhance the epithelial healing process, which maximum takes two to three days.  As photorefractive surgery sculpts the outer surface of the cornea, patients suffer from this might experience some discomfort after the surgery and the recovery time usually last for some weeks.

Photorefractive has been mainly treated by LASIK as it provides less pain, discomfort and leads to faster vision recovery, and the capability to refine or enhance the outcome with ease and in maximum three months after the surgery.

However, sometimes PRK is recommended in place of LASIK as it does not create any flap in the cornea as well as a better alternative surgery who have a thin cornea. 

LASEK stands for Laser Assisted Epithelial keratomileusis corrects farsightedness, nearsightedness, as well as astigmatism. It is quite similar to Photorefractive surgery except that the basic layer is replaced after the surgery as a form of a bandage.

Both LASEK and PRK are quite similar to LASIK in that surgeon use the excimer laser in order to shape the cornea.  LASEK and PRK sometimes suggested in place of LASIK only for the patient with thin corneas as they do not sneak into as deeply into the eye's surface.

In LASEK, the initial surface is eased and peeled back to open the cornea. Then the excimer laser retransforms the cornea and the epithelium is arranged back into the right position. Like LASIK, healing time is fast but discomfort is significantly increased as compared to LASIK.

ICRs stands for intracorneal ring segments are semi-circular segments of plastic that are embedded within the eye cornea to fix initial forms of myopia. 

They likewise are occasionally needed for alternative conditions influencing the cornea, some includes, keratoconus. They are created to transform the shape of your cornea, modifying the focusing power of the eye in order to that light is directed onto your retina. 

The ICRs are injected through a narrow incision near the upper corner of the cornea. The incision is sealed with two narrow sutures that are normally removed three to four weeks after surgery.

It is not like laser eye surgeries, ICRs are reversible; Means if they are taken out, your cornea frequently comes back to its initial shape after some time.

Involving reshaping the cornea, but cataract surgery people have been corrected successfully with the use if plastic lenses implanted in the eye for several years. 

Under this surgery, the natural eye lens is shifted and the IOL( intraocular lenses) is implanted in its place, replacing the eye focusing capability of the natural lens and also providing cataract patients correction for the high degree of hyperopia and myopia.

LTK stands for laser Thermal keratoplasty are usually used for patients who are farsighted or who are above age 40 and find difficulty focusing on close up objects.

 This surgical procedure cause no discomfort or pain and vision healing process are almost instantaneous. 

But, unlike other forms of refractive surgery like LASIK, correction from CK and LTK are recommended for use by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.

RK stands for radial keratotomy is a kind of surgical method usually used to treat mild level of astigmatism and nearsightedness. With the use of a diamond scalpel, so may spoke-like cuts made on the eye surface to reshape and flatten the cornea and correct refractive error.

Radial Keratotomy has been mainly displayed by LASK, which is an accurate method capable of fixing a range of myopia without weakening the structure of the eye.

    1. You do not suffer from any eye disease in past

    2. You don't want to be too relied on contact lenses and glasses

    3. You agree that the method may have some side effects and risks

    4. You understand that though, after the surgical procedure, you may need to wear glasses or contact lenses to get the best vision.

    5. You have the proper refractive error.

With the extremely advanced and straightforward surgical procedures available today, you may not have to rely on your contact lenses and spectacles to correct your vision after all. 

It worth mentioning though, that to ensure that these procedures work for you, it’s the best time to pay your physician a visit and inspect about the usefulness of refractive surgery. This means you’d come to know which one is reliable for your refractive condition and your individual needs.

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