Laser Eye Treatment Technologies

The technologies behind laser eye treatment have come a long way since Jose Barrequer first pioneered the manual techniques in his clinic in Columbia in the 1950's. This Spanish ophthalmologist was responsible for inventing the microkeratome, the tiny blade that cuts into the cornea to make the flap prior to reshaping the eye for better vision. While many of his manual techniques have now been replaced by ever-improving laser technologies, the treatments which came after him all owe him a debt for his experimentation.

From his basic methods a whole host of approaches to vision improvement surgery have developed. LASIK is the best known, but this article will explore the other common surgical techniques. When you decide to pursue laser treatment for eyes for your vision, you will be able to select the technique that will give your eyes the best vision possible.

LASIK

This is the most popular laser treatment for eyes. A microkeratome blade cuts a flap in the outer eye, which is then peeled back to access the cornea so that it can be reshaped by a laser. The most common laser used is the Excimer laser, which remaps the position of your eye up to 4,000 times per second to assure maximum accuracy.

PRK

PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) is based on the same principle as LASIK, namely, that reshaping the cornea improves vision. The difference is in how the reshaping of the cornea is done. With PRK, no flap is cut in the cornea. Instead, the very outer layer of the cornea, the epithelium, is reshaped by the laser.

This kind of surgery is less invasive than LASIK, making it more suitable for those with thin corneas. It can also deal with larger pupil sizes with less distortion of vision. The first PRK method was not approved by the FDA until 1995, although it had been commonly performed in other countries since the 1980s. The international research behind PRK makes it a rapidly evolving treatment, and the latest method coming on to the market now is known as No Touch, because the process of reshaping the outer cornea is done entirely by laser technology with no manual instrument use at all.

LASEK

LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) is a variation of PRK. Like PRK, it targets the epithelium without cutting a flap into the middle of the tissue. Unlike PRK, it does not improve vision by reshaping the epithelium tissue. Instead, it leaves the epithelium intact, lifting it up to allow laser contouring of the underlying corneal tissue. When this is finished, it replaces the epithelium over the reshaped tissue.

LASEK is a laser eye treatment specifically marketed to those who have thin or steeply curved corneas. There are fewer complication for these types of patients than they would have with a flap-style cut. You should note that recovery time with LASEK is longer than for PRK or LASIK. While LASIK and PRK patients usually see clearly the next day, it may take 4 - 7 days after a LASEK procedure before clear vision is apparent.

Wavefront LASIK

The wavefront title refers to the next generation of laser eye treatments. This type measures not only the shape of your eye, but also the way your eye distorts light. This allows the laser eye treatment performed to address any existing aberrations in your vision so that you have a crisper surgical outcome.

Wavefront LASIK is becoming a very popular choice for those who need to have advanced vision correction. Pilots, members of the military, and those who already have issues with aberrations in their sight will get the most out of wavefront LASIK. It is significantly more expensive than standard LASIK, so rather than instinctively opting for the "best" technique after a sales presentation, discuss with your doctor what will give you the best results for your particular visual situation.

Mathew Dawson writes about laser eye surgery treatment at the Laser Eye Treatment Guide, an essential resource if you are considering laser eye treatments. Discover more about this revolutionary vision correction procedure and the laser eye treatment technologies available today.