What Is LASIK Laser Eye Surgery?

LASIK laser eye surgery is a complex procedure used to treat all degrees of nearsightedness. The surgeon who performs it uses a small knife to cut a flap of the cornea, then removes part of the underneath tissue with a laser and put the flap back in its place.

In LASIK laser eye surgery, the skills of the surgeon are more important than in the PRK procedure, where the computer does most of the work. This is why it is very important to find a high-skilled and experienced surgeon who has done several such procedures before to perform it. The success of the procedure depends mainly on the surgeon.

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Advantages

Most physicians agree that LASIK laser eye surgery is very appropriate for correcting very severe vision problems. It also allows a faster recovery than PRK and other methods. In addition, patients who have undergone a LASIK laser eye surgery can see accurate enough to drive and read within just a week.

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Risks

In a small number of patients, LASIK laser eye surgery can have some negative side effects. Such effects include over or under-correction, scarring of the cornea, astigmatism, corneal infections, lower contrast sensitivity or problems with driving at night.

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery vs. PRK & RK

There are physicians that still consider other surgical methods as well. Some patients who had previously decided on LASIK laser eye surgery are often advised to undergo a PRK or RK procedure instead. After studying all the options they have and consider side effects, many of them eventually agree on other methods.

Many clinical centers, while they do perform LASIK laser eye surgery in many situations, they claim that other methods are in some cases more suitable. For example, some physicians believe that for a small number of patients with low or moderately nearsighted eye conditions, a RK (radial keratotomy) is more appropriate.

RK is an earlier eye correction procedure that does not need an Excimer laser. The incisions are made radically along the exterior portion of the cornea with a hand-held knife. Such procedures are designed to help reshape the curvature of the cornea and allow light rays that enter the eye to focus properly on the retina. The success of the procedure depends on the length and number of these incisions. Some surgeons use this type of eye surgery for a small number of people with mild myopia.

In contrast, other physicians believe that a LASIK laser eye surgery is always the best option. While they do mention other options to their patients, such as PRK or RK, they do not advise them in favor of these procedures.

Others claim that a RK procedure involves penetrating around 90 percent of the cornea, which can have a negative impact on the structure of the eye. Moreover, once you have done a RK surgery, you can never repeat it or have a PRK. This is why some doctors would never recommend this method to anyone.

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