If you are ready to be free of the hassle and inconvenience of corrective eyewear, you might be considering LASIK. LASIK is an excellent option for many people who want to correct their vision permanently, but unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for this laser vision correction surgery.
As you consider what laser option would give you the clearest possible vision, keep reading to learn the pros and cons of LASIK and other top laser options!
Pros and Cons of LASIK
LASIK is the most well-known laser vision correction surgery available today. It is also one of the most commonly performed procedures every year.
During LASIK, an eye surgeon uses a laser to create a flap on the surface of the cornea. Once the flap is lifted, the LASIK surgeon uses the laser to reshape the middle part of the cornea, correcting vision.
Once vision has been corrected, the flap is replaced and naturally heals itself.
Pros:
- LASIK can correct the most common refractive errors: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
- It is a quick procedure, taking approximately 15 minutes per eye, and has short recovery times
- Over 95% of LASIK patients report that they are happy with their vision or better after the procedure
Cons:
- LASIK is not able to correct the vision of people with high eye prescriptions
- It is not suitable for people with thin corneas
- Some people experience dry eye post-surgery
Pros and Cons of PRK
If you are not considered a good candidate for LASIK, another option is photorefractive keratectomy or PRK. It is often a good choice for people with thin corneas.
During PRK, an eye surgeon uses a laser to completely remove part of the outer layer of the cornea. After this layer is removed, an excimer laser is used to reshape the middle part of the cornea, just like in LASIK surgery.
Once the cornea has been reshaped, the eye surgeon applies a special contact lens or corneal bandage to protect the cornea’s outer layer as it regrows.
Pros:
- Like LASIK, it can correct the most common refractive errors
- Many people who choose PRK are happy with the results and are able to greatly reduce their dependence on visual aids
- It can correct the vision of people who have thin corneas, corneal abnormalities, or are at an increased risk of suffering eye trauma
Cons:
- It requires the removal of the outer layer of the cornea, increasing the risk of complications
- The recovery time for PRK is longer than for other laser options
- It is less effective than LASIK at fully correcting a patient’s vision to 20/20 or better
Pros and Cons of SMILE
Another laser option is SMILE. SMILE can correct the vision of people with nearsightedness and astigmatism and is less invasive than LASIK and PRK.
During a SMILE surgery, an eye surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to make a crescent-shaped incision on the surface of the cornea. That laser is then used to create a tiny disc of corneal tissue.
Removal of this tissue changes the shape of the cornea and corrects your vision.
Pros:
- It can correct the vision of people with extreme nearsightedness or high degrees of astigmatism, who might not be candidates for other laser options.
- Because it is less invasive, it has shorter recovery times than LASIK and PRK.
- Of all SMILE patients, many go on to have clear, crisp vision with reduced dependence on visual aids.
Cons:
- It can only correct myopia and astigmatism
- It can take longer to fully realize the results of surgery
- Because it is a newer laser option, there are fewer long-term studies and fewer experienced providers.
Pros and Cons of Refractive Lens Exchange
If you have been told that you are above the recommended age limit for LASIK, you may want to consider refractive lens exchange, or RLE. This option can also be a good choice for people with corneal abnormalities or extreme refractive errors.
During RLE, an eye surgeon uses a laser to remove the eye’s natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens, or IOL. The IOL is designed to permanently correct vision at one or more distances.
Pros:
- RLE allows people who are not good candidates for other laser options to correct their vision and reduce or eliminate their reliance on corrective eyewear
- Correcting vision with an IOL prevents cataracts from ever forming later in life
- Premium IOLs can correct vision at multiple distances
Cons:
- Patients may still need reading glasses for clear near vision, depending on their IOL choice
- Some patients may experience glare, halos, or difficulty with night vision after the procedure
While LASIK is a great option for many people who want to correct their vision without needing additional corrective eyewear, not everyone is a good candidate.
Luckily, there are other laser options. Laser vision correction options like PRK, SMILE, and RLE are alternatives to LASIK that can help you enjoy permanently clear, crisp, glasses-free vision!
Do you want to learn if you might be a candidate for a vision correction procedure? Schedule an appointment at Nevada Eye Physicians in Las Vegas, NV, today!
