Common Types of LASIK  

At your next eye exam in Jesup, GA, ask your eye doctor about LASIK. LASIK is a treatment for nearsightedness and farsightedness. Millions of people around the world have benefited from this eye treatment, and it might be right for you. Because LASIK has been around for many years, it has evolved into a variety of different kinds. These different forms of LASIK help to make it appropriate for more people and enable LASIK to be used to treat more eye issues. Following is a summary of the different types of LASIK that are now available.

LASIK

Short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, this is the most standard form of LASIK. A small flap is made in the cornea, and a very thin layer on the bed of the cornea is removed. The flap is then closed.

LASEK

Short for laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy, LASEK involves using a microkeratome cutting device to make the corneal flap. The cornea is then exposed to ethanol to remove a very small layer. Afterwards the flap is closed. This type of eye surgery is best for those who have thin corneas.

PRK

Also known as photorefractive keratectomy, this procedure involves scraping away the epithelium (the top layer) of the cornea, rather than making a flap.

epi-LASIK

Short for epithelial laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, epi-LASIK consists of separating the top surface of the cornea from the middle part of the cornea, and then reshaping the cornea using a laser.

Intraocular Lens

This isn’t technically a type of LASIK, but it is a type of corrective eye surgery. It consists of surgically inserting a corrective lens into the eye. It is commonly used as part of cataract surgery in addition to being used as a vision correction surgery.

SMILE

SMILE is short for small-incision lenticule extraction, whereby the eye doctor uses a laser to reshape the cornea with a lenticular, or lense-shaped portion of tissue.

If you’re tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, LASIK might be right for you. Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK, though. It will depend upon your specific eyesight issues, as well as your overall eye health. Contact your optometrist in Jesup, GA to book an appointment and see if LASIK is an option for you.