Alternate LASIK Procedures

In addition to common LASIK, there are several other variations of laser vision correction surgery. While most people may be a candidate for LASIK, others may benefit more from a different type of surgery due to their vision problem, the thickness of their cornea, or other reasons.

These other procedures include:

IntraLase – Though traditional LASIK may use a microkeratome, or optical blade, to create a hinged flap, the IntraLase procedure uses only lasers. This is why it is sometimes referred to as “bladeless” or “all-laser” LASIK
PRK – Before there was LASIK, there was photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Used to correct vision in other countries for years before it was approved in the US, PRK is performed using an excimer laser and no blade. Rather than creating a hinged flap to get to the part of the cornea that will be reshaped, the surface of the eye (epithelium) is simply removed (ablated). The surface will then grow back on its own. PRK can be done for those whose corneal surface is too thin for traditional LASIK
LASEK – Laser epithelial keratomileusis uses the same basic idea as PRK, and is a slight variation of this procedure. However, while PRK ablates the epithelium using laser energy, LASEK removes the epithelium with a very fine blade called a trephine, reshapes the cornea, then replaces the epithelium. Recovery from LASEK may take longer than traditional LASIK
Epi-LASIK – Somewhere between LASIK and LASEK is Epi-LASEK. Epi-LASEK uses a plastic blade to cut into the surface of the eye. This blade is blunter and less fine than that used in LASEK. There is also no alcohol involved in separating the epithelial layer from the eye. Instead, the plastic blade is used to remove the possibility of a reaction to the alcohol. After the epithelial is removed, surgery is performed with an excimer laser, and the epithelial is replaced with a kind of spatula and a temporary contact lens is placed on the eye
iLASIK – This variation of laser vision correction combines IntraLase with a technology called CustomVue. CustomVue is the trade name of the VISX/AMO wavefront technology. This wavefront diagnosis is combined with the bladeless surgery of IntraLase to create better vision at the microscopic level

These variations of LASIK may cover most people looking to correct their vision with laser surgery. If you feel one of these eye surgery procedures may benefit you and your vision needs, please contact an experienced laser vision correction surgeon in your area.