Alternative to Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery involves cutting a flap in the eye and then contouring the cornea. Some people don’t want to have their eyes cut into and opt to wear glasses or contact lenses rather than submit to the eye surgery.

There are other options also available, but most involve some type of eye surgery. A reasonably new procedure is called Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) which only removes the very top layer of cells from the cornea. Usually the cells are softened with alcohol and then scrapped away. A laser is then used to shape the cornea to the desired shape.

A patient who had PRK done in one eye and Lasik in the other reports that her vision in the eye done with PRK is sharper and clearer than the one done with Lasik.

Another surgery exists where a lens, much like a contact lens, is placed behind the iris, which then compliments the persons eye to improve their vision. This procedure is called, “implantable contact lens” (ICL).

There are so many different kinds of eye surgery available today you really need to discuss these with your ophthalmologist to determine which is the best for you. There is correction available for near sightedness as well as far sighted problems, and for astigmatism. Whatever problems you are having with your eyes, there seems to be a viable solution.

Having someone cut into your eye may be about the scariest thing you can imagine, but people who have had it done, claim it is easy, painless and very successful. Check out all your options before you decide just what procedure will be the best one for you.