You might be asking yourself, “where is the laser vision correction near me“? But before you find an answer to this question, you’ll want to first research the different kinds of laser treatments that are available to you. In this article, we’ll go over the three different options when it comes to laser eye correction and why you should pursue it.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
During a PRK procedure, an ophthalmologist will make an incision at the surface of the eye and remove the outer corneal layer. They will then use a laser to reshape the cornea into a curvature that is more ideal for allowing light to enter through the lens that fits the patient’s natural eye curvature. The procedure works by removing the corneal epithelium (the thin outer layer). The underlying cornea is then reshaped with an excimer laser. Afterward, the outer corneal layer will grow back with the corrected underlying cornea leading to eyesight that has been manually corrected. People with high corrections and thin corneas are ideally suited for this procedure as removing the cornea will not take as much work as it would otherwise. When the cornea is thicker, it can lead to more risks and complications from a procedure that is already one of the more uncomfortable ones for visual correction.
Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
During Lasik, the ophthalmologist will use a trephine to lift the epithelial layer of the cornea and then replace it once the surgery is complete. Unlike PRK, quicker recovery time and less discomfort after the procedure is possible. Unfortunately, it is a bit more invasive than PRK because it requires the ophthalmologist to sift through and reshape the underlying corneal layers with a laser. Because of this extra invasiveness, there is an added risk of the impact to the corneal flap and the patient’s reaction to this. As a result, patients must qualify before undergoing any operation having to do with LASIK, even though it is the most common vision correction surgical procedure.
Small-incision lenticular extraction (SMILE)
The “SMILE” process is the newest procedure on this list and is the least invasive of the three. It offers a similar vision correction process as LASIK but does not require the creation of the corneal flap that can be a cause for concern amongst some patients and the doctors that would prescribe them the procedure. Studies have shown that patients that take the “SMILE” route end up having stronger corneas but a longer recovery time than the other procedures.
When deciding on which corrective surgery to take, always consult with a medical professional to make sure you are a great fit for whichever one you intend of pursuing. While LASIK does return the best vision, SMILE and PRK are great options for those that might not be the right candidates. If you have any questions or want to make an appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.
