In spite of its popularity, it would be misleading to believe that LASIK eye surgery is inexpensive. In fact, the costs ranges from $499-$2,500 for each eye. Two major factors affect the cost: your LASIK surgeon’s experience and reputation, and the LASIK technology utilized to operate on you. A LASIK patient actually has different options in terms of which method to use for the surgery. Your doctor can help you choose the right one for your eye by assessing the amount of vision correction needed and how much you’re willing to pay for the procedure. However, it is still important to be well-informed. This article will describe the different LASIK procedures that are available today.
Some of the eye surgeries and variations of LASIK performed today are as follows:
1. PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy). This type of surgery can be employed as an alternative to LASIK. It is also the earliest method of operating on the eyes. It involves using a metal surgical tool that removes the cornea’s epithelium. PRK is believed to be more uncomfortable than LASIK, and it involves a longer recovery time. However, patients that have large pupils and thin corneas are encouraged to have PRK rather than LASIK surgery.
2. Lasek (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy). This procedure is a variation of LASIK that involves the use of alcohol instead of a metal blade to remove the cornea’s epithelium. The rest of the steps in a LASIK procedure are as follows: a laser will reshape the cornea, then the epithelium will be replaced. The microkeratome blade is eliminated in this process, rendering it safe for people who have thin corneas. The recovery process is also fairly quick, but the alcohol may cause inflammation and irritation of the eyes.
3. Epi-LASIK. This procedure is another variation of LASIK. It uses a plastic cutting tool instead of alcohol or a microkeratome blade to remove the epithelium. By using sterile plastic tools, the risk of irritation is minimized.
4. Intralasik. This variation solely uses lasers instead of solid cutting tools to approach the epithelium. Many people believe that Intralasik is much more precise than other forms. There are still some risks with Intralasik, however. Some patients have reported experiencing light sensitivity. In addition, this procedure may be pricier than other variations.
5. Wavefront LASIK. This variation is known to be the most precise of all. Wavefront technology generates a 3-dimensional computerized measurement of your eye. Like Intralasik, wavefront LASIK does not use blades during the operation. While Intralasik’s excimer laser is guided by hand, pre-programmed software guides the wavefront excimer laser. Higher order aberrations can be addressed with wavefront, reducing the occurrence of night glare, one of the most frequent problems reported by patients who underwent the traditional methods. However, wavefront LASIK costs are higher due to its accuracy and precision.
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