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4 Common Types of LASIK Surgery: Which LASIK Procedure is the B
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Most people assume that there’s a singular, one-size-fits-all approach to laser eye surgery. However, there are actually several different types of LASIK surgery available here in Singapore!
LASIK, PRK, LASEK and SMILE are the four major types of corrective surgeries. While all involve reshaping your cornea to improve your vision, each slightly differs from one another in terms of method and benefits.
Read on below to find out which LASIK procedure is the best for you!
- Standard LASIK
LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is the most commonly performed refractive surgery in Singapore. It involves creating a small flap in the cornea and then folding it back to expose underlying corneal tissue.
Then, the tissue is reshaped using an excimer laser. The corneal flap is replaced after the correct amount of corneal tissue has been removed.
Most patients prefer the standard LASIK because the entire procedure takes about less than 25 minutes for both eyes. Plus, the discomfort during and after the surgery is minimal, allowing you to get back to your daily routine in just a day to two.
2. PRK
PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy, which was known as the original laser eye surgery technique. Unlike traditional LASIK, it doesn’t involve an incision on the cornea before reshaping it.
Instead, PRK removes the outermost layer of the cornea and reshapes it using a laser. Ophthalmologists usually suggest it to people with thin corneas because it eliminates the risk of flap-related complications.
It’s also a quick and blade-less procedure. However, its main drawback is that there's a higher level of discomfort during and after the surgery.
The corneal abrasion takes about three or four days to fully heal, requiring a longer recovery time. Some blurring of vision is to be expected post-surgery as well.
3. LASEK
LASIK is generally effective, but it’s not exactly a great choice for people with thin corneas. That’s why LASEK was developed: to provide the same results without exposing thin corneas to as much damage.
Instead of creating a flap in the eye, LASEK exposes the cornea to an alcohol solution to peel off the top layer of tissue away from the rest of the eye.
It’s worth adding here that LASEK involves more discomfort and a longer recovery time compared with traditional LASIK. It also doesn’t have any significant advantages over LASIK and PRK.
4. SMILE
SMILE, or small-incision lenticule extraction, is the newer type of refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea by using a specific laser to make a 4-5 mm incision on the cornea.
While SMILE and LASIK are similar in many ways, the main advantages of the former are quicker recovery time and a decreased risk of dry eyes after surgery.
So… which LASIK procedure is the best for you?
Ultimately, LASIK, PRK, LASEK and SMILE are all safe and reliable procedures to improve your vision long-term. In terms of pricing, all four roughly have the same cost and virtually similar healing times and side effects.
The choice may all boil down to your ophthalmologist’s decision. As mentioned earlier, if you have thin corneas, your safest options are either PRK or LASEK as both don’t expose your cornea to as much damage.
SMILE and LASIK are very similar in terms of methods and results, but the former is the better option for people with myopia who are not good LASIK candidates.
Just to add here that the majority of surgeons specialise in LASIK simply because it’s been around for longer, so you might want to consider this in your decision-making!