Making the decision to get laser eye surgery is a big one but it takes more than just saying “I want to do that!” There is more than one type of laser eye surgery procedure available and not all of them work for everyone. Doing research on each procedure is the best way to make sure that you qualify for the right one in order to get the best results.

There are two types of laser eye surgery that are well-known: PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis). PRK involves removing tissue right from the eye’s surface in order to change the curvature of the cornea. This procedure has been found to be ideal in reducing dry eye and other complications that usually result from laser eye surgery. PRK is recommended for those who have corneas that are too thin to undergo LASIK surgery.

LASIK is a procedure that creates at thin, hinged flap, which is made on the eye’s surface. This flap is then lifted, allowing the laser to reshape the eye as needed. Afterwards, the flap is put back in place and acts as a bandage. LASIK is often preferred by many people seeking laser eye surgery because there is little to no discomfort during the procedure and the recovery time is relatively fast. A patient can recover in a matter of hours instead of days.

However, there are more categories of laser eye surgery procedures you may want to look into. LASIK for example comes in different forms depending on how the flap in the eye’s surface is created. LASEK creates a thin, hinged flap in the eye’s surface which is then allowed to float away and out of sight, as opposed to replacing it after the process is done. Epi-LASIK uses a cutting tool to lift the flap in order to prevent a bad reaction to the alcohol placed on the eye’s surface during the procedure. All laser-LASIK is a type of bladeless or blade-free way to create the flap without the use of mechanical cutting tools. Instead, the flap is created completely through the use of lasers. Wavefront LASIK uses special analysis to measure how light travels through the eye. When an error is found in the way the eye works, the laser is then used to reshape the cornea accordingly.

Conductive Keratoplasty uses a tiny probe and low heat radio waves to apply spots of energy around the eye’s surface. This steepens the cornea, correcting farsightedness. Implantable lenses work like contact lenses except that they are surgically implanted, improving nearsightedness. This procedure leaves the original lens in place. Refractive lens exchange is similar to getting cataract surgery. This procedure involves removing the clear lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens of a different shape. Refractive lens exchange is ideal for correcting nearsightedness. Because of the high risk, Refractive lens exchange is only used in severe cases.

Candidates for each laser eye surgery vary. Individuals under 18 typically will not be approved since there is still time for the body to grow and mature, as well as the eyes. Sometimes preexisting health conditions may also determine which procedure will be right for you. People with diabetes or other conditions that affect your body’s ability to heal wounds, PRK or LASEK may work better than regular LASIK. Those with thin corneas can benefit better from PRK, LASEK, or implantable lenses.

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