Home | Health | Surgery & Medical Procedures | Laser Surgery | Types of Laser Surgery

Types of Laser Surgery

by Anna Dyer

Overview

Laser eye surgery can be used to correct common imperfections on the cornea of the eye that cause blurred and distorted focus. The three most common types of imperfections are astigmatism, hyperopia and myopia. Contacts and corrective lenses can help eyes to compensate for these imperfections, but through laser methods, the cornea can literally be reshaped to improve focus.
PRK

PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is a type of laser eye surgery to correct astigmatism, nearsightedness and moderate forms of farsightedness. Using a beam of ultraviolet light called an excimer laser and computer-generated calculations, layers of corneal tissue are removed to reshape the surface of the cornea. PRK is fast, taking just a few seconds with each eye. Vision improvement should be apparent within three days after surgery, and should improve steadily for some time.

LASEK

LASEK, or laser epithelial keratomileusis, is a type of laser surgery used to reshape the upper layers of the cornea. It is most often used for patients whose corneas are too flat for surface reshaping. In this procedure, the outer cellular layer of epithelial cells of the cornea is lifted gently off and the laser used to reshape the underlying surface. The cell layer is then replaced and a contact lens is used to cover and protect the cornea as it heals. Most people begin to notice improvements within five days, and overall results are often better than with PRK.
LASIK

LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is often considered the "traditional" laser eye procedure. In this surgery, a thin, round section is cut from the surface of cornea to form a flap. The flap is then gently held to the side to reveal the stoma, or the next tissue layer. An excimer laser is used to remove imperfections, and then the flap is replaced. The eyes usually heal within just one or two days.
Wavefront LASIK

Still relatively new, wavefront LASIK, or custom LASIK, is a more technological version of laser eye surgery. A device beams light into the retina of the eye and sends information about subtle irregularities to a computer program. The program, in turn, projects a precise 3D image of the cornea. The information is then translated within the program and with the help of the surgeon to remap the cornea. Changes are programed directly into the excimer laser for the most accurate corrections possible.
Cautions

Laser eye surgery, in its various forms, is still a new procedure, meaning long-term results are still indeterminable. Like any surgical procedure, there are risks involved that should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor.