Which Laser Eye Surgery Treatment is Right for You?

If you’re considering Laser Eye Surgery, you will very likely have done some light research to give you a better idea of what to expect from your treatment. Of course, as you dive deeper into this life-changing procedure, you will likely come across many new words and acronyms which, at first glance, don’t seem to make a whole lot of sense.

PRK, LASEK, LASIK, ReLEx SMILE, PRESBYOND… These are all phrases you will encounter when immersing yourself in the Laser Eye Surgery world. But while it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless treatments available, it is important to know which treatment could be best suited to you.

Thankfully, things don’t have to be as confusing as they might first appear. At London Vision Clinic, we have a suitable treatment for anyone eligible for Laser Eye Surgery. Which one is the best option for you will be determined by an experienced doctor during your comprehensive screening exam.

So, let’s take a look at the different Laser Eye Surgery procedures on offer at London Vision Clinic – and which one might be best for you.

Types of Laser Eye Surgery at London Vision Clinic

While we offer several kinds of Laser Eye Surgery procedure, the vast majority of patients are suitable for just two. In fact, a whopping 96% of our patients are treated with LASIK or ReLEx SMILE, with a smaller percentage being more suited to PRK or LASEK.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the details and suitability criteria for these different procedures.

PRK/LASEK

The first PRK procedure was performed in 1988, six years before the treatment was approved for use in clinical practices in the United States. It involved removing an area of epithelium from the eye, allowing the surgeon to access the corneal tissue beneath.

Once the treatment is completed, a protective contact lens is applied to aid the epithelium in repopulating over the eye’s surface. In PRK, the removed portion of epithelium is discarded, while in LASEK (introduced in 1996), it is put back in place before the contact lens is applied.

PRK and LASEK are more invasive than other types of Laser Eye Surgery procedures. As such, they have longer recovery times; however, they may be preferable in cases where the patient has thin or irregularly shaped corneas or a particularly active lifestyle, as these may not be compatible with LASIK due to the potential for corneal flap dislodgement.

LASIK

Like PRK and LASEK, LASIK is technically also known as a surface procedure. However, it uses a less invasive technique to allow access to the corneal bed. This is done with the creation of a corneal flap, which can be closed immediately after the procedure is complete. The flap begins to fuse with the rest of the epithelium almost immediately.

Decreased invasiveness makes for improved recovery times, with most patients able to return to work and many normal activities within just a couple of days! LASIK remains the most popular form of Laser Eye Surgery.

ReLEx SMILE

Also referred to simply as ‘SMILE‘, this revolutionary technique is the new kid on the block in the Laser Eye Surgery world. Pioneered with the help of our very own Professor Dan Reinstein and introduced at London Vision Clinic for the first time in 2011, ReLEx SMILE is the least invasive Laser Eye Surgery treatment.

It involves using an ultra-precise laser to make a “keyhole” incision in the corneal epithelium. A second laser is then used to remove and draw corneal tissue out of the eye. By removing the need for a corneal flap or removal of epithelium, SMILE offers the fastest recovery times. It can also be suitable for patients with dry eyes or thinner corneas who may have previously been found unsuitable for treatment.

What About Treatment for Presbyopia?

Until relatively recently, it was believed that Laser Eye Surgery wasn’t a suitable treatment for presbyopia (ageing eyes). However, this was successfully challenged with the introduction of PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision. This revolutionary treatment works by correcting each eye in a different way, allowing for clear vision across all distances.

PRESBYOND® can be performed using any of the techniques outlined above, depending on the needs and characteristics of the patient.

If you’d like to learn more about the Laser Eye Surgery treatments available at London Vision Clinic, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out which treatment could be best suited to you.