If you consider having laser vision surgery, it’s essential to know what types of procedures exist and how they differ. Corrective refractive surgery can be of different types such as LASIK, ReLEx SMILE and PRK. Let us dive deep into each of these types and understand which one is the best and most recommended by doctors worldwide.
ReLEx SMILE
ReLEx SMILE surgery is known for its effectiveness and faster recovery period. The majority of the patients regain 75% of the vision by the next day of undergoing ReLEx SMILE surgery. But recovery and healing can differ from one person to another. However, ophthalmologists advise taking utmost precaution for three days after undergoing any surgeries like LASIK, Contoura or ReLEx SMILE surgery. Major benefits of opting for this surgery are:
- One-step and one-laser procedure
- Less-invasive laser eye surgery procedure than others
- Quiet, odourless, and blade-free
- No flap-related complications
- Safe, accurate, and fast visual recovery
ReLEx SMILE is considered the most opted and advanced laser eye surgery technology in over 10 years. It combines the safety of traditional vision correction techniques with even greater comfort and potentially greater precision.
LASIK Surgery
The most common type is LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a surgical procedure that reshapes the cornea with an excimer laser. It uses a thin flap created on the cornea’s surface to remove tissue from inside your eye before reshaping the corneal tissue with an excimer laser to allow light rays to focus correctly onto your retina.
This vision correction treatment has been FDA-approved since 1998 for patients who are 18 years of age and older who suffer from myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. However, the major downside of undergoing this surgery is that it is a more complex procedure when compared to ReLEx SMILE. In addition, this surgery includes the usage of two lasers and creates a flap during surgery. This eventually can lead to a high potential risk of flap-related complications post-surgery.
What is PRK Surgery?
In the PRK procedure, a ring-shaped area of tissue is removed from your cornea and then reshaped with an excimer laser to allow light rays entering your eye to focus correctly onto your retina so you can see.
PRK surgery is most common because it only takes one day in the hospital and usually has a better long-term result. However, PRK recovery can take 12 months to 18 months for your eyesight to heal completely, with some people taking even longer than that. This means that during this period, your vision will be blurry or unclear at times.
Which is the Best Surgery?
Talking about the safest eye surgery today, we would genuinely recommend opting for ReLEx SMILE as there are minimal to zero risks associated with this surgery.
The first step is deciding which type of corrective refractive surgery is right for you. Then, your physician can perform tests on your eyes and determine if you are a good candidate for laser vision surgery and which type is best.
