-- Other Eye Surgery Options --
You certainly will want to explore all the options when you decide to have corrective surgery on your eyes. There are many different procedures that can be done.
Lasik eye surgery is only one type of surgery available to you.
When corrective eye surgery was first being done, radial keratotomy (RK) was the first type of this surgery done in the US. In this surgery, a diamond scalpel is used. The doctor makes cuts that go around the circumference of the cornea. Then, the cuts are flattened out to reshape the cornea.
RK is done for people who are nearsighted or have astigmatism. It is best used if these conditions are mild, though. The problem with RK is that it weakens the structure of the eye. Therefore, it isn′t used much anymore.
Conductive Keratotomy (CK) is another procedure that is used to correct vision. Heat is applied to the edge of the cornea by means of a special type of laser. This makes the cornea tighter, which in turn makes it steeper.
So, it is a good option for people with farsightedness or presbyopia. This procedure is painless and the results are instantaneous. There may be a problem in that it sometimes needs to be done again. The results aren′t always permanent.
Photoreactive keratectomy (PRK) is an operation that is done with a laser similar to the way lasik is done. The main difference is that the energy is focused on the surface on the cornea instead of underneath. Therefore, a flap doesn′t have to be cut in the cornea.
For those with extreme nearsightedness and mild farsightedness, ALK (automated lamellar keratoplasty) offers a solution. In this procedure, the flap is cut just as in lasik. Then, instead of reshaping with a laser, the doctor reshapes your eye by making incisions underneath the flap.
Laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK) is used to treat farsightedness and astigmatism by shrinking and reshaping the cornea with heat from a laser. This is one of the fastest surgeries, and it is a very easy procedure to undergo.
There is an eye surgery called lasek which is similar but not quite like lasik. Lasek stands for laser epithelial keratomileusis. The outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelial, is removed gently with a 20% alcohol solution in this procedure. There is typically more discomfort felt and more aftercare needed, but the results are slightly better.
Finally, there are eye surgeries that involve implants. One type is the intrastromal corneal ring segments (INTACS) which are used to shape the eye. They can be taken out if need be. Another kind is phakic intralocular lenses (Phakic IOLs). These are used with people who need corrections too excessive to be made with lasik.
Only you and your doctor can decide together which surgery is right for you. Don′t be afraid to ask questions or get a second opinion if you′re not sure.
If all goes well, you′ll do corrective eye surgery once and be satisfied.