There are three different to use when doing eye surgery; all of them with almost the same name: LASIK, LASEK and LASAK. The three surgery methods can be combined with two extra methods to give an even better result. The names of the two treatments are: Wavefront and Aspheric.
Because it is fast, gentle and effective, LASIK is the most popular method. There are very few complications, so it will be a good eye surgery method for most people.
LASIK surgery is almost painless, and the sight has improved only a few hours after the operation. The side effects are few; dry is the most common. LASIK can help most people; long-sightedness until +3 and near-sightedness until -12.
For people who are only a little long-sightedness or near-sightedness (from -2 to +2), the LASEK surgery is a great method.
If you have thin corneas the LASEK surgery is a great method, because the laser surgery is made on the surface of the corneas. It also more gentle, if you have very dry eyes.
The newest type of laser surgery is called LASAK. The flap, which is cut off, is thinner than when doing LASIK surgery. That saves the corneal tissue and is therefore a better method for people with thin corneas.
LASAK do also have a shorter healing time than the other operations. There is no pain after the surgery and the risk of complications is very low. The eyes will not be as dry as with the other operations, and the sight will be steadier.
The surgery result can be improved even more, if the methods are used in combination with the Wavefront method. The irregularities on the corneal are measured with a special instrument, and a kind of topographic map is constructed. Finally a computer calculates the correct settings for the laser surgery based on the specific eye.
By using the Wavefront method, the result will be better because of the unique measurement of the eye. The method does also give a better night sight and astigmatism in the eyes will be treated with a better result.
The newest improvement in eye surgery is called Aspheric treatment; which is used together with one of the three surgery methods. The cornea is aspheric and not ball-shaped; something the Aspheric treatment takes into account.
When using LASIK, LASEK or LASAK without Aspheric treatment, the eye will be more ball-shaped. That gives a reduced contrast ratio and a bad night sight. If the Aspheric treatment is used, the curve in the central part of the eye will be made larger (as it is in an untreated eye). This gives a much better result; sometimes even better than with contact lenses or glasses.
Tags: Aspheric, complications, cornea, dry eyes, eye surgery, LASAK, LASEK, laser eye surgery, Laser Surgery, LASIK, long-sighted, short-sighted, Wavefront