Other types of refractive surgery are available and may be more appropriate than LASIK for certain individuals.

Advanced surface ablation: There are a variety of other techniques that utilize the excimer laser to reshape the cornea in much the same way as LASIK, but without the creation of a corneal flap. These are generically termed advanced surface ablation (ASA) and include photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), and epipolis laser in situ keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK). All of these techniques involve first removing the most superficial corneal layer (epithelium) and then performing excimer laser ablation.

Phakic intraocular lenses: For patients with extreme myopia, LASIK and advanced surface ablation are not reasonable options. In these cases, a phakic intraocular lens may be used. This lens is implanted inside the eye and can effectively treat nearsightedness up to -20 diopters.

Conductive keratoplasty: Conductive keratoplasty (CK) is a technique that can be used for the temporary correction of hyperopia or presbyopia. CK involves using radiofrequency waves in the peripheral cornea to cause peripheral corneal shrinkage and central steepening. This procedure is very safe, but its effect is often not long-lasting, and regression is common after a few years.

Intracorneal ring segments: Intacs (Addition Technology, Inc.) are approved for the correction of low myopia and for patients with keratoconus in the U.S. Intacs are micro-thin plastic segments that are implanted into the peripheral cornea in order to flatten the cornea centrally. Once implanted, the rings generally cannot be felt by the patient. These rings can be removed, and their effect is usually completely reversible. They are only able to correct up to -3 diopters of myopia, and visual recovery is generally slower and less predictable than LASIK.

During our youth, the natural lens has the ability to change shape and power. This allows us to focus on close objects through a process of lens power change called accommodation. As we age, the natural lens becomes stiffer and loses the ability to change shape. This is termed presbyopia, which is the loss of accommodation, and the need for reading glasses, bifocals, or other visual aids to facilitate near work. LASIK cannot directly "fix" accommodation, but there are a variety of strategies that can be successful, including blended vision or monovision, in which one eye is corrected for better distance vision and one eye is corrected for better near vision.

A single-use microkeratome with disposable components is safe and effective for creating flaps in thin-flap LASIK and is a viable alternative to femtosecond lasers for this purpose, Gustavo Tamayo, MD, told ophthalmologists gathered at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

Thin-flap LASIK, also called sub-Bowman's keratomileusis (SBK), involves creating a thinner flap than flaps traditionally produced in LASIK surgery.

A thinner flap may reduce the risk of dry eyes after LASIK. It also may preserve greater corneal strength, thereby reducing the risk of corneal ectasia after the procedure.

Using a microkeratome in

The refractive state of your eye can be improved and you can decrease the need for wearing glasses through Refractive Eye Surgery. The most common method of surgery followed today is Laser surgery, where lasers are used to reshape the cornea. Laser surgery is the greatest achievement in ophthalmology. Lasers are usually used to treat non refractive conditions.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is one of the most popular types of laser eye surgery. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. This procedure can permanently reshape the cornea, which is the clear covering of the front of the eye, and change its focus power using an excimer laser. Millions of patients have been treated using LASIK, using of a wide variety of different lasers. This procedure can be used to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

Prior to the surgery:

Before you undergo LASIK surgery you