dvances in Lasik Technology Make Lasik Better Than Ever

Laser vision correction has been a valid option for patients hoping to rid themselves of their classes for more than two decades. One of the first advancements in laser eye surgery was PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy. This procedure, invented in the 80s, was approved for use by the FDA in the early 90s. It quickly became a readily available, safe option for individuals hoping to cure their refractive vision errors. In PRK, a cool laser is used to reshape the eye’s cornea to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. PRK is still available, and is a good option for some ophthalmic patients. However, the ophthalmic community has made great progress in the last 20 years.

Lasik, or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, surgery was also approved by the FDA in the 1990s. Like PRK, Lasik is a permanent laser eye surgery that can improve the quality of vision. Unlike PRK, the heal time after Lasik surgery is much quicker. Since Lasik has become available in the United States, this procedure has become the most commonly performed laser eye surgery in the country. As a matter of fact, over 30 million Lasik surgeries have been performed worldwide! This procedure is known to be both safe and effective. Patients are able to return to their daily life after only a single day of recovery, and few patients ever experience any complications. The majority of Lasik patients achieve perfect 20/20 vision after only a painless, 15 minute surgery!

Of course, the advancements did not stop with Lasik. Ophthalmologists have further perfected this amazing procedure by going on the create Bladeless Lasik and Custom Wavefront Lasik. Bladeless, or Blade-free Lasik has further improved the Lasik process by eliminating the microkeratome once used in the small corneal incision. By eliminating this tool, surgeons have also eliminated some of the rare complications associated with traditional Lasik.

Custom Wavefront Lasik has increased the precision of the Lasik procedure. Before the Lasik procedure begins, Wavefront technology is used to map a patients eye, noting all of the imperfections that cause refractive errors. This vision map is then programmed into the computer that guides the laser. During the Lasik surgery, the laser is able to follow the map and address all of the imperfections. While results from traditional Lasik are often 20/20, results from Custom Lasik are even better! Custom Lasik even eliminates many of the side effects, such as glares and halos, that are sometimes associated with the traditional surgery.

With all of the technology available, now is a great time to consider laser eye surgery or Lasik surgery. Candidates for Lasik are over the age of 18, and have had a steady eye prescription for at least two years. If you are considering a Lasik procedure and would like to learn more about Bladeless and Custom Lasik, contact a Lasik surgeon near you for an examination! Many ophthalmologist offer free exams, and will be able to discuss your prescription and your options, and even set up an appointment.