There are many people these days who are considering the benefits of Orange County LASIK. What some people don’t realize, however, is that there are several different corrective vision procedures, and the term “LASIK” may encompass all of them. If you’re considering getting laser surgery for your eyes, it helps to know which of these procedures is likely to be most beneficial for you.
The first form of surgery is a photorefractive keratectomy, better known as PRK. In this procedure, the surgeon scrapes away the top layer of the cornea. There is a healing time of three or four days, but the discomfort reported is usually minor. The thought surrounding PRK is that it might be more beneficial to people who run a higher risk of being struck in the eye by something: those in law enforcement, in the military, or those who play contact sports professionally.
Next is a laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy, or LASEK. In this version, a flap in the cornea is created using a specialized cutting tool, and the cornea is then put into contact with ethanol. This procedure is thought to be most beneficial to people who have thin corneas, because less material needs to be removed.
Then there is epithelial laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, also known as epi-LASIK. For this procedure, a mechanized blunt-blade device is used to separate the epithelium from the middle section of the cornea. This is employed for similar reasons as LASEK would be used; it’s another option for people with thin corneas.
The last option at which we’re going to look is implantable lenses. These are corrective lenses that are inserted into the eye through surgical means. This is often done during procedures to remove cataracts. It is most commonly recommended for older adults who are having eye problems, the thought being that it might prevent their needing a more invasive procedure in the future.
With so many options available, those with vision problems should be sure to consult with a trusted eye doctor. If you’re not sure, it’s not a bad idea to get a second opinion. Even though all of these procedures are considered quite safe at this point, it’s still important to choose the one that makes the most sense for you.
