Laser Eye Correction Technologies

Laser eye correction has undergone numerous advancements since it first became available to patients.? While all laser eye surgeries work to correct vision by reshaping the cornea to refocus light onto the retina, there are several different technologies behind each of these procedures.? Below are explanations of the most common forms of corrective laser eye surgery.

PRK: PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a laser surgery technique that corrects mild to moderate nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatism conditions.? The PRK process involves the use of a laser that delivers cool pulses of ultraviolet light directly on to the surface of the cornea. The cornea is reshaped, with no cutting needed.

LASIK: LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) is a form of eye correction that is commonly used in patients who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatisms.? This procedure reshapes the corneal tissues to refocus light through the eye onto the retina.? LASIK is unique due to the fact that the underlying tissue of the cornea is accessed by means of creating a "flap" in the outer layer of the cornea.

LASEK: LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) is a newer form of laser eye correction that corrects nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatism issues.? This method combines the benefits of two other common laser procedures: LASIK and PRK.? There is no cutting and no scraping of the surface of the eye required during this treatment.? LASEK works to correct vision by creating an "epitheal flap", using a 20% alcohol solution, to access the corneal tissue. The eye is then reshaped using the same laser process as in LASIK and PRK.

LTK: LTK (Laser Thermokeratoplasty) is another new laser treatment that is used to correct farsightedness and astigmatisms.? The procedure uses the heat of a precise laser beam to reshape the cornea by reducing it in size.? LTK does not require removing any corneal tissue and does not involve cutting.? The surgery is completed in a matter of a few minutes.? LTK typically yields only temporary results, with regression occurring over the first three months following the procedure.

AK: While AK (Astigmatic Keratotomy) itself does not involve the use of a laser, it is commonly used in conjunction with other laser procedures such as LASIK, and PRK.? This method is used to help patients who have astigmatisms and whose eyes are shaped similar to the shape of a football.? A surgeon performs the AK treatment by making two incisions directly into the steepest part of the cornea.? These incisions cause the cornea to relax giving the eye a more natural, rounded shape.? Further reshaping is then completed using laser or light methods.

Many patients report seeing much clearer, and overall much better, than they ever have in their entire lives after undergoing one of the above mentioned laser eye correction surgeries.? Typically patients who undergo LASIK, or LTK procedures have a faster recovery time, less pain, and almost instantaneous results.

Mathew Dawson writes about laser eye correction surgery. Discover more about the variety of different laser eye correction technologies and how they work in vision correction.