Laser Eye Surgery Information - Types and Descriptions

Lasik eye surgery is the common acronym for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It refers to a type of laser eye surgery which is used by ophthalmologists to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. In common language this is short or near-sightedness, long or far-sightedness or optical defects caused by the irregular shape of the cornea or lens of the eye. Patients choose Laser surgery to avoid the need for contact lenses or glasses.

Lasik is the most commonly practiced laser surgery as it has a quick healing and recovery time and is generally less painful than other types of surgery. If you are considering any type of corrective surgery, a little research is wise so you are familiar with the terms your ophthalmologist will use when considering you for surgery. Generally the ophthalmologist will choose which type of surgery will be the best for you, depending upon his initial test findings.

Lasik Surgery

Lasik surgery was pioneered in Colombia in the 1950s by Jose Barraquer, but it was only when laser surgery technology was later developed that refractive eye surgery became viable. Patients who are considering Lasik surgery must first have a number of tests to ascertain whether the procedure will be suitable to correct their sight. The cornea of the eye is examined and measured to discover the contour and thickness of the surface. The surgeon will use the information to make calculations for the exact cutting which will be necessary.

Lasik surgery involves a thin flap of corneal tissue being sliced and lifted. The tissue beneath is shaped using the laser, and the flap is replaced over the cornea and left to heal. The procedure is done while the patient is awake and anesthetic eye drops are used to make the procedure painless.

After surgery, dark eye shields are worn for several days to minimize brightness, and goggles are worn at night to prevent the eye being rubbed and dislodging the flap. Eyedrops are applied to reduce inflammation and the risk of infection for several weeks.

After surgery, eyesight will gradually improve over the following weeks, reaching its optimum after 6-12 months.

PRK and Lasek

PRK stands for Photorefractive keratectomy. This process is similar to the Lasik procedure, but this time the laser is used to permanently change the shape of the anterior cornea. The outer layer of the cornea is removed before the ablation, or reshaping takes place, rather than a flap being lifted and replaced. The outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium will repair itself, but this takes longer than a flap being healed back into place.

PRK does not use a cutting laser or a knife and therefore avoids the possible dislocation of corneal flaps which may occur with Lasik surgery. However PRK is a more painful procedure and visual recovery is generally slower.

LASEK surgery, which stands for Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy, similarly removes the outer layer of the cornea before the necessary ablation takes place.