Modern laser eye procedures now enable vision correction to reduce or eliminate reliance on glasses or contact lenses. There are different laser eye surgery techniques. Each has specific benefits against certain limitations. We discuss them below to help you select the best procedure for your vision requirements.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
This stands as the most frequently chosen laser eye treatment option. It involves cutting thin sections through the cornea layer using a laser. Then, reshaping the underlying corneal tissue before placing the repositioned flap to heal naturally.
Pros
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Quick recovery: Better vision starts just after just 24 hours.
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Minimal discomfort: The treatment produces minimal pain and causes only slight post-operative discomfort.
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High success rate: Treatment outcomes from LASIK surgery are powerful since 90% of patients see at least 20/20 levels of vision following the procedure.
Cons
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Flap-related complications: During recovery, the surgical area may show minor complications like flap dislocations and infections.
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Not suitable for thin corneas: LASIK becomes unacceptable when corneal thickness falls below a specific threshold.
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Possible dry eye issues: Surgical patients commonly encounter short or extended dry eye conditions after the procedure.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
This emerged as the first form of automatic laser vision correction. It remains an excellent eye treatment alternative for LASIK-ineligible patients. A surgeon removes the cornea's thin layer and then reshapes the remaining tissue. The layer automatically regenerates within several days.
Pros
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No flap complications: Operation without flap creation prevents any potential displacement problems.
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Better for thin corneas: Patients whose corneas fall into the thinner category often find PRK an advantageous treatment solution.
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Lower risk of dry eye: It reduces corneal nerve damage that occurs following laser surgery. This helps patients avoid dry eye complications.
Cons
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Longer recovery time: Total healing of the eyes can take several weeks.
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More discomfort: During epithelium healing, patients need to endure substantial discomfort that typically lasts for multiple days.
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Requires more patience: This procedure requires longer healing time before full vision improvement.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
This technique involves reshaping the cornea in a minimally invasive technique. A doctor uses a laser device to create a tiny lens-shaped portion of corneal tissue called the lenticular. Doctors remove it through a small cut and reshape the eye for better vision.
Pros
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Less invasive: By avoiding flap creation SMILE reduces patient complications during surgery.
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Faster healing: Reduced eye surface injury enables faster healing.
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Lower risk of dry eye: Corneal nerve preservation results in decreased dry eye occurrence.
Cons
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Limited to nearsightedness: Patients typically use SMILE to treat myopia condition and basic astigmatism. However, the procedure does not support hyperopia cases.
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Longer visual recovery compared to LASIK: LASIK provides faster vision restoration than SMILE, but both treatments offer quick healing periods.
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Less prevalence: SMILE treatment is not available everywhere because each clinic requires specialized equipment.
Conclusion
Your optimal laser surgery choice requires an assessment of your vision needs, eye health status, and lifestyle. Visiting an experienced eye doctor will enable you to find the procedure that best matches your needs.
Website of Source: https://euroeyes.co.uk/
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
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