What is the difference between LASIK and other laser eye surgery?
The difference between LASIK and other laser eye surgery is the kind of laser that is used to treat eye conditions. They also differ in the kinds of eye problems that they treat. Yag laser is a kind of laser that is usually used to treat cataracts. An argon laser is still another kind of laser used in eye surgery that is mainly used to treat blood vessels in our eyes and in performing what eye surgeons call as iridotomies or procedore on the iris.
An excimer laser is the kind of laser that is used in performing LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomeleusis). The main eye problems that LASIK procedures treat are ordinary vision conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astifmatism. Another kind of laser eye surgery called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) also uses excimer laser. The difference is in the technique.
During a PRK laser eye surgery, the surgeon applies the laser only to the surface of the cornea whereas with LASIK laser eye surgery, the laser is applied to the inner cornea after creating a flap on the outer layer of the cornea.
Your eye surgeon will tell which laser eye surgery is best for you. But don’t rely too much on your surgeon. It is also advisable that you make your own research about their recommendation. Know the benefits and risks of whatever laser eye surgery your eye surgeon recommeneds before you make the decision.