What Are the Types of Lasik?
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, a refractive surgery to get rid of your glasses by reshaping the cornea. LASIK eye surgery effectively addresses various refractive errors and eliminates the dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses. It aims to correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. LASIK laser surgery is usually performed after age 21, when you have a stable spectacle number.
During the procedure, a thin flap is created on the cornea’s surface, and access is gained to the cornea to reshape it, and modify its effective power . Once the cornea is reshaped, the flap is repositioned.
LASIK is categorized into different types based on the creation of the flap, corneal structure, and patient needs. Let’s understand what types of LASIK there are.
Types of LASIK Surgery
Usually, there are two major types of LASIK: blade LASIK and bladeless LASIK.
Blade LASIK or Traditional LASIK: In this procedure, a thin flap is created with a microkeratome (a kind of a blade). The flap is then lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue, and an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea to correct the refractive error. After completing the procedure, the flap is repositioned.
SBK LASIK
Sub-Bowman’s Keratomileusis is a type of blade LASIK in which a thinner flap is created. This is particularly needed in eyes with thinner cornea and high powers. The rest of the procedure is the same as conventional LASIK.
Bladeless LASIK: Bladeless LASIK is also known as FemtoLASIK. In this procedure, a specific laser called the femtolaser is used to create the flap. This laser creates a precise flap and reduces the risks associated with blade LASIK. The rest of the procedure is similar to blade LASIK; the laser reshapes the cornea, and the flap is repositioned. This is more advanced, the flap formation is more precise and safe, and there are options to make the flap size thinner if needed for an eye with thin cornea or high power.
Custom or Wavefront-Guided LASIK
Wavefront-guided LASIK or custom LASIK is a more advanced refractive procedure that altes the cornea with a laser to enhance vision.
A custom LASIK or a wavefront-guided LASIK makes a 3D map of your eye and corrects higher-order aberrations by employing a more sophisticated LASIK laser program. Higher-order aberrations are found in patients with microscopic flaws in the cornea that can impair vision and result in glare and haloes post surgery. Thus, custom LASIK removes the glass power and gives you a good vision quality as well.
Topography-guided LASIK
Topography-guided LASIK is also an advanced form of bladeless LASIK. It takes into account the topography or the shape-map of the cornea. Hence, it also improves the vision quality and reduces untoward side effects like glare and haloes. Contoura vision is a type of topography-guided LASIK.
Epi-LASIK: This LASIK is used for people with thinner corneas or difficult corneal access. An epikeratome tool is employed to create a flap just involving the epithelium. The rest procedure is similar to bladeless LASIK or blade LASIK, which involves flap lifting, cornea reshaping, and flap repositioning. This procedure is done in very selective patients.
The choice of the most suitable procedure from the types of LASIK surgery depends on factors such as your eye health, refractive error, corneal thickness, corneal topography and other individual considerations. If you are considering LASIK eye surgery, you must consult the best eye surgeon who will evaluate your eye condition, prescribe a suitable LASIK procedure, and also guide you on the LASIK surgery cost in Delhi, based on the most suitable procedure for your condition.
Dr. Anisha Gupta is a renowned eye specialist committed to providing the best optical care to her patients. If you are considering LASIK surgery, book your consultation with Dr. Anisha Gupta.
