Laser technology that you should look for
There are several different types of eye surgery, as well as eye surgery technology, that uses some type of laser to correct a person's vision. When a person is interested in getting eye surgery they should be familiar with the different types of laser technology that is available to them. This article will discuss the different kinds of laser technology that a person should look for; including: laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (LASEK), and Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK.)
LASIK
LASIK, also known as laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, is one type of eye surgey that uses a laser. Just as with other types of laser eye surgeries, this surgery is done in the hopes of relieving patients from their dependency on contact lenses and/or eyeglasses.
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How LASIK works
The LASIK procedure uses an "excimer" laser. This laser reshapes the person's cornea. The cornea is reshaped so that the person is able to see without contacts or glasses. During LASIK eye surgery a flap is made using an intralase laser. Then the excimer laser is used to reshape the surface that is under the flap. After cornea has been reshaped, the flap is replaced so that the eye can heal properly.
During the part of LASIK when the cornea stroma is being reshaped by the laser, the laser actually vaporizes the tissue. This is done without any damage to the other part of the stroma and is very controlled. Because of the laser technology used in LASIK, there is no burning or heat, or even any cutting required to reshaped the cornea.
LASEK
Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy, or LASEK, is another eye surgery procedure that uses laser technology. LASEK is a bit different than LASIK eye surgery. During LASEK eye surgery, a flap is not made so that the surgeon can reshape the cornea underneath. Instead the corneal epithelium is preserved using a type of chemical solution and then peeled off. After the surgeon has completed the laser ablation to reshape the cornea they then replace the corneal epithelium.
Similar to LASIK, LASEK eye surgery also uses an excimer laser to remove some of the tissue from the corneal stroma to improve a person's vision. Modern laser technology has made eye surgeries, such as LASEK, much safer and more effective. These days, lasers will automatically center in on a specific patient's visual axis. And the laser will pause if for some reason the eye moves out of the laser's range. As soon as the person's eye is re-centered the laser will begin to remove the tissue from the corneal stroma once again.
PRK
Photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, is another type of eye surgery that uses laser technology. PRK is essential the first laser eye surgery. PRK is similar to LASEK, but has a distinct difference. During PRK the epithelium (or the outer layer of the eye) is completely removed by a laser. Because the out layer of the eye can regenerate itself it will eventually grow back.
Besides the main difference that PRK has compared to LASEK and LASIK, it is similar in the fact that this eye surgery also uses a laser to reshape the cornea.
What laser technology to choose
When a person is choosing what type of laser technology they would like to have correct their vision, they need to know which surgery works best for their eyes. Sometimes people with thinner corneas or with other types of abnormalities may need to have PRK because other laser eye surgery may not work. It is important for a person to talk to their doctor to find out what type of laser technology is best for them.
