People often use the term "LASIK" to refer to any surgery that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. However, LASIK is just one specific vision correction procedure; there are multiple others. There may be a reason why the term LASIK is so common, though. LASIK, it turns out, has a number of advantages over other laser vision correction surgeries. Here's a closer look at some of those advantages.
It's usually done entirely with lasers.
Some older, less advanced forms of vision correction surgery were done with a combination of blades and lasers. The eye surgeon would use a scalpel to make a flap in the cornea, and then a laser would reshape the eye under the flap. Today, many LASIK procedures are entirely bladeless. In other words, a laser is used to cut the flap in the cornea, and then reshape the cornea. There is less room for error with a laser than with a blade. This also makes LASIK faster and simpler in comparison to older-generation vision correction surgeries.
The corneal flap minimizes discomfort in recovery.
Some other vision correction surgeries work by abrading away the surface of the cornea. This exposes sensitive corneal tissues, which means the patient has some itching and discomfort as they recover from surgery. With LASIK, on the other hand, the flap cut in the cornea is laid back down over the eye after the laser has made changes to the eye shape. This means the laser-adjusted tissues are not exposed directly to air or the friction of your eyelid. As such, the pain and discomfort experienced in LASIK recovery are very minimal. You may have some slight itching and burning for a couple of hours post-op, but after that, there should be no pain.
The results are quick.
Again, this has to do with the way a flap is made in the cornea, versus some other procedures simply abrading away the surface of the cornea. Patients who have LASIK can often see clearly as soon as the next day, and sometimes even sooner. It's not uncommon for them to drive to their own next-day checkups, and they don't need glasses to do it. These fast results mean patients can get back to work and daily life quickly after LASIK.
LASIK has a number of advantages over other corrective eye surgeries. Talk to an eye surgeon or clinic such as San Diego Eye Professionals to learn more about the procedure and any alternatives.
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