{"id":16675,"date":"2021-08-05T09:53:20","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T09:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=16675"},"modified":"2022-06-28T12:59:03","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T12:59:03","slug":"alternatives-to-lasik","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-laser-refractive-surgery\/alternatives-to-lasik\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternatives to LASIK"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>If you are thinking of LASIK eye surgery, there are many alternatives that could be better suited for your eyes.\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Many people are seeking the best options for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-laser-refractive-surgery\/\">laser eye surgery<\/a>, to enjoy the convenience of clear and natural vision or wearing the latest trendy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/sunglasses\/\">sunglasses<\/a>, all without relying on eyeglasses or contact lenses.<\/p>\n<p>LASIK is by far the most popular laser eye surgery, but there are many alternatives that could be better for you.<\/p>\n<h2><b>What is LASIK?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>LASIK is the most commonly performed laser procedure and is the option most individuals who wear glasses or contact lenses have heard of.<\/p>\n<p>Laser in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a refractive surgery that uses lasers to reshape the cornea and treat visual problems caused by refractive errors, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-myopia\/\">myopia<\/a> (nearsightedness), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-astigmatism\/\">astigmatism<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-long-sightedness\/\">hyperopia<\/a> (farsightedness).<\/p>\n<p>Although LASIK can effectively eliminate the need for eyeglasses or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-contact-lenses\/\">contact lenses<\/a> for most patients, it\u2019s not suitable for everyone.<\/p>\n<p>There are a variety of additional options available to those who don&#8217;t qualify for LASIK surgery or who would benefit from a different type of laser surgery.<\/p>\n<h2><b>LASEK<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>For people with thin or flat corneas, LASEK (laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy) is one of the best alternatives to LASIK.<\/p>\n<p>In LASEK a trephine is used to form an epithelial flap, which is then peeled back to reveal the Bowman&#8217;s layer of the cornea. The cornea is then reshaped with a single laser, and a protective contact lens is worn for several days to help the epithelium recover.<\/p>\n<p>LASEK does not involve the removal of the epithelium.<\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">Schedule an appointment<\/a> with an eye doctor near you to discuss which laser eye surgery is right for you.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>SEE RELATED:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-laser-refractive-surgery\/contact-lenses-or-laser-eye-surgery\/\"> Contact Lenses or Laser Eye Surgery?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t<div class=\"practice-search-widget\">\n\t\t<h3>Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t<form class=\"practice-search-form practice-search-form-widget\" action=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/results\/\" method=\"get\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page\" class=\"practice-search-page\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_latitude\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_longitude\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"address\" class=\"practice-search-address\" placeholder=\"City, Surburb or Address\" value=\"\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" class=\"practice-search-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.6796 0.130005C9.15708 0.130059 7.66615 0.5646 6.38198 1.38258C5.09781 2.20057 4.07373 3.36803 3.43004 4.74783C2.78634 6.12763 2.54976 7.66246 2.74808 9.17205C2.9464 10.6816 3.57139 12.1033 4.54964 13.27L0.729639 17.08C0.6364 17.1732 0.562439 17.2839 0.511979 17.4058C0.461519 17.5276 0.435547 17.6581 0.435547 17.79C0.435547 17.9219 0.461519 18.0524 0.511979 18.1743C0.562439 18.2961 0.6364 18.4068 0.729639 18.5C0.917942 18.6883 1.17334 18.7941 1.43964 18.7941C1.5715 18.7941 1.70207 18.7681 1.82389 18.7177C1.94571 18.6672 2.0564 18.5932 2.14964 18.5L5.99964 14.62C7.35406 15.6038 8.98566 16.1324 10.6596 16.13C12.7814 16.13 14.8162 15.2871 16.3165 13.7869C17.8168 12.2866 18.6596 10.2517 18.6596 8.13C18.6596 6.00827 17.8168 3.97344 16.3165 2.47315C14.8162 0.97286 12.7814 0.130005 10.6596 0.130005H10.6796ZM10.6796 14.13C9.49295 14.13 8.33291 13.7781 7.34622 13.1188C6.35952 12.4595 5.59049 11.5225 5.13636 10.4261C4.68224 9.32975 4.56342 8.12335 4.79493 6.95946C5.02644 5.79558 5.59788 4.72648 6.437 3.88736C7.27611 3.04825 8.34521 2.4768 9.5091 2.24529C10.673 2.01378 11.8794 2.1326 12.9757 2.58673C14.0721 3.04085 15.0092 3.80989 15.6685 4.79658C16.3277 5.78328 16.6796 6.94332 16.6796 8.13C16.6796 9.7213 16.0475 11.2474 14.9223 12.3726C13.7971 13.4979 12.2709 14.13 10.6796 14.13Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"practice-search-use-my-location\">\n\t\t\tSearch near me\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\n\t<\/form>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<h2><b>Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy, the first significant refractive laser eye surgery procedure.<\/p>\n<p>In PRK, the surgeon removes the whole epithelium, the thin outermost layer of the cornea, before reshaping the cornea with the laser. Unlike LASIK or LASEK no flap is created.<\/p>\n<p>The latest version of PRK is known as &#8216;Trans-PRK&#8217;, where an HD laser is used to remove the epithelium, then reshape the corneal tissue underneath,<\/p>\n<p>After the treatment, the surgeon will apply a soft contact lens to the eye as a \u2018bandage&#8217; to protect it while the epithelium regenerates. During the healing phase, the patient will be given medication.<\/p>\n<p>The PRK laser is similar to the one used in LASIK, the distinction is whether the epithelium is used to form a flap or if it is completely removed. PRK is an excellent option for those with thin corneas or who might benefit from a completely new epithelium.<\/p>\n<h2><b>SMILE<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Both nearsightedness and astigmatism can be treated by SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction).<\/p>\n<p>A femtosecond laser is used to make a microscopic incision in the cornea.<\/p>\n<p>Through this incision, the laser creates a thin disc between the layers of the cornea, which is then removed to change the cornea&#8217;s curvature and improve the eye&#8217;s focusing power.<\/p>\n<p>These procedures are effective for people with moderate to severe vision impairment and who are not ideal candidates for LASIK.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Phakic intraocular lenses<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>For people with high degrees of refractive error, phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs), also known as implanted contact lenses or ICLs, can be the best alternative.<\/p>\n<p>Phakic IOLs are surgically implanted lenses that are placed on the eye, either in front of or behind the iris, allowing you to keep your natural lens while focusing. The IOL lenses are made of a synthetic material that can be removed years later for cataract surgery.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Refractive lens exchange<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Refractive lens exchange surgery (RLE) entails removing one&#8217;s normal lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant.<\/p>\n<p>The procedure is similar to cataract surgery in that the lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a new one. The redesigned lens allows you to see clearly at both long and short distances.<\/p>\n<p>RLE is a good alternative for patients with severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia or astigmatism, or if the surgeon believes laser surgery is not the best option.<\/p>\n<p>In both younger and older patients, RLE has a high success rate.<\/p>\n<p>More people will be able to benefit from vision correction surgery thanks to these many options for laser eye surgery.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LEARN MORE:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1627552249083000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGFiNChCYiEN8g9bUTMEiO89_DEKA\">Optical and Contact Lenses<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>If you are interested in one of these LASIK alternatives, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">contact an eye doctor near you.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are thinking of LASIK eye surgery, there are many alternatives that could be better suited for your eyes.\u00a0 Many people are seeking the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":16676,"parent":12558,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-article.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16675","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - 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