Types of LASIK Surgery

You already know that LASIK surgery can give you freedom from glasses and contact lenses, but did you know that there are several types of LASIK surgery as well as alternative refractive surgery procedures for people who are not good candidates for LASIK? Today, there are so many options that almost anyone can have laser vision correction. Your LASIK surgeon will evaluate your vision needs, eye health, and the unique characteristics of your eyes to determine which option or options are best for you.

The many types of refractive surgery that your ophthalmologist may recommend include:

Custom vs. Traditional Procedures

Traditional LASIK has been helping people achieve freedom from corrective lenses since it was approved in 1999. It is still used today, with great results for most patients. But, now we have custom procedures that use computer mapping of your eyes for a more precise surgery with fewer risks of visual quality problems. Custom procedures are always recommended if you have higher order aberrations.

Custom procedures can be wavefront-guided or topography-guided. Wavefront-guided and topography-guided procedures both use very precise computer mapping to plan and guide your surgery. For any of the following types of laser vision correction, you can choose traditional or custom:

LASIK
Epi-LASIK
LASEK
PRK

iLASIK is custom, bladeless LASIK.

Flap, No Flap, or Bladeless

Some patients are not good candidates for LASIK because of the flap that is created during surgery. There are several alternatives that do not involve the creation of a flap:

PRK
LASEK
Epi-LASIK

There are advantages and disadvantages to refractive surgery that does not involve the creation of a flap. Bladeless LASIK is another option for some patients who were not candidates for LASIK in the past, because it reduces the chance of flap complications. Your eye surgeon can help you decide which option is best for your unique needs.

Cataract Surgery and Refractive Lens Exchange

LASIK surgery and the alternative discussed above, make changes to the shape of your cornea. Cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange remove and replace the lens of your eye.

If you have cataracts, replacing your natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) will remove the cataract and can also correct refractive error, including presbyopia, depending on the type of IOL you choose. After lens replacement, cataracts do not return.

To learn more about laser vision correction and your options, please search this directory for a list of experienced ophthalmologists near you.

Types of LASIK Surgery