The Different Types of LASIK Surgery

LASIK surgery is the most popular eye surgery available and has been the go-to for losing the inconvenience of glasses and contact lenses for more than a decade. Originally thought to be an exclusive procedure that people were wary of when it first became popular, it has now improved in technology as well as in the minds of consumers who see it as a way to improve more than just their vision. It can improve self-esteem and mental outlook as well.

There are various types of Houston LASIK eye surgeries available, using the latest technologies to give you the best possible vision results.  One of the most common forms of Houston LASIK will have an option for Wavefront LASIK, which is also known as Custom LASIK. With this form of the surgery, a wavefront analyzer is able to help doctors make a 3D picture of individual eyes so they know exactly what they are dealing with and can tailor the surgery for the patient’s own needs. This is a more precise type of procedure and preferred by many.

PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy) is considered by many to be the parent of modern custom LASIK surgeries. It was first approved by the FDA in 1995 and is used on patients who have more complicated eye issues, including oddly shaped eyeballs or extremely flat corneas. Your doctor will thoroughly examine you at your initial consultation for LASIK in Houston before deciding if this procedure will be right for you.

LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) is another variation of the LASIK procedure for people who have thinner or flatter corneas. Rather than using a blade, your Houston LASIK eye surgery doctor will use an instrument called a trephine to perform the procedure. The recovery time from LASEK is also considered to be quicker than it is for Wavefront of Custom LASIK.

IntraLASIK surgery is the bladeless type of LASIK surgery in Houston. Rather than using the blade, it uses a laser to make the all-important flap on your cornea that is intrinsic to all LASIK procedures. Once the flap has been created by a second laser and not a blade, the procedure continues much like the aforementioned Custom LASIK. This type of LASIK can be used successfully for patients who suffer from both nearsightedness and farsightedness.

While there are many options when choosing to have Houston LASIK surgery, not every option may be right for you. That is why our doctors are here to talk with you and learn your individual needs to ensure you have the best LASIK surgery experience possible.