When it comes to laser eye surgery, LASIK and PRK may be the most popular types out there, but that doesn’t mean they are the only options available.
Types of Laser Eye Surgery
If you are in need of some help improving your eyesight, there are a few types of laser eye surgery that you should be informed about. Knowing about the different types will help you make a decision about what surgery you need to get. The surgeries include:
- LASIK eye surgery
- PRK eye surgery
- LASEK eye surgery
- Trabeculectomy
- ALK eye surgery
- LKT eye surgery
- Blepharoplasty
LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery is the most popular laser eye surgery that is used to correct your vision. The procedure is done on your cornea to correct refractive problems. In LASIK surgery, the thin outer layer of the cornea is used to create a flap, and the procedure is done to the under tissue, and the flap. However, this surgery has the risk of a protective growth encasing the cornea. This growth can be easily removed, but some people don’t want to go through with another surgery. Also, overcorrection is a common problem, sometimes done on purpose to compensate for swelling. This means you may need Enhancement surgeries which is another reason some people don’t choose this surgery. This procedure normally costs $1,800-$2,800 per eye.
PRK Eye Surgery
PRK surgery is the second most popular laser eye surgery. In this surgery, the thin outer layer of the cornea is scraped away using a ultra-violet laser. Then the procedure is applied to the under layer of tissue. PRK came before LASIK so is therefore not as advanced. Most people who receive this procedure will end up wearing bi-focal eyewear after the age of 40. You normally only have one eye done at a time, which can cause problems with your sight until the second eye is done. The average price is $2,500 per eye, but depending on the surgeon can possibly drop to about $1,850.
LASEK Eye Surgery
LASEK eye surgery is yet another form of laser eye surgery that helps correct refraction problems. This surgery is very similar to LASIK. However, the flap is made by a very thin layer of cornea. Surgeons will often recommend this surgery for people with thin corneas. Also, this procedure is also a lot less risky than LASIK or PRK because the laser doesn’t go very deeply into the tissue of your cornea. However, this surgery is a lot more uncomfortable than LASIK or PRK and has a longer recovery time. The average price is $1,700 to about $2,360 per eye.
ALK Eye Surgery
ALK surgery is used to treat severe cases of nearsightedness. In this surgery the surgeon will make a flap with the thin outer layer of the cornea, and then he or she will scrape away the goop that has collected under that layer of cornea. This is no longer a very popular procedure because there are other procedures that are more effective, and that are, in some ways are safer. ALK costs almost about as much as any LASEK procedure; however it may be a few hundred less because of its declining popularity.
LKT Eye Surgery
This surgery is a new procedure. It is used to treat astigmatism and farsightedness. In this procedure, the heat of the laser is used to reshape or shrink your cornea. There is a very fast recovery time for LKT eye surgery. The downside to this surgery is that the improvement to your sight does not usually last. You may have to go back for other surgeries in as little as three years after your first LKT procedure. The cost of this temporary procedure ranges from $1,500 and $2,500 per eye.
Trabeculectomy
This surgery is used to help treat Glaucoma. In this procedure, the surgeon will cut into the whites of your eyes and pull out a part of the tube –like tissue. This will allow fluid in your eye to flow into the eye and out of the eye without complications. It should also help control your Glaucoma symptoms. However, the eyes may begin to heal themselves and you will have to go back and get another surgery. This complication is rare and shouldn’t be a problem if you are considering this procedure to help with your Glaucoma.
Blepharoplasty
This surgery is more commonly known as an eye lift. This is a cosmetic surgery that is normally not covered by most insurance. In this procedure the surgeon will take a laser and reshape your eye slightly, and surgically lift up your upper and lower eyelids. There is a slight chance of you going blind because of this procedure. It normally costs about $3,314 for an eyelift in 2007. However, the procedures cost went down to $2,219 this past January because of the failing economy.
It is important as a patient to understand what kind of eye surgeries are out there. If you are trying to decide which surgery would be best for you then having this information should make your decision easier. Also having the correct information can make sure that you have made the right decision for yourself.