SMILE is a newer procedure that has many benefits. SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. The smile technique uses a small laser to create a lenticule (a thin disc of tissue) inside the cornea. This lenticule is then removed through a small incision, which is typically only 2-4 mm long.
The most cutting-edge LASIK technique currently available uses Wavefront technology. Wavefront is a customized LASIK procedure that allows your eye doctor to correct vision specific to your needs.
SMILE is a newer version with fewer side effects. It is even less invasive than LASIK, but it only works for people with myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. While there are some important differences between SMILE and LASIK, the pros and cons overlap.
The preferable procedure is PRK since it does not leave a flap on your cornea. Thus, it is much safer and more effective than LASIK in the long run. PRK may take longer to heal than LASIK, but the results are the same. This is true when a competent surgeon does the procedure.
The Lasik blindness rate is so rare, that it is estimated to be 1 in 5 million. Corneal ectasia is a rare complication that can result in impaired vision. The treatment for cornea ectasia is a separate procedure called cross-linking.
LASIK: 25-40
Generally speaking, most LASIK eye surgeons agree on 25-40 as the ideal age range for LASIK eye surgery candidacy for a few reasons. By the age of 25, eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions have most likely stabilized. A stable prescription is one of the hallmarks of a good LASIK candidate.
If your cornea has an irregular shape, PRK surgery might not suit you. Some patients have a cone-shaped cornea due to keratoconus disorder. Reshaping it with an excimer laser does not give positive results. Even if the cornea may not be perfect, it must not have a drastically irregular shape.
Disadvantages of PRK
These potential complications include scarring, infection, and difficulties with night vision and driving. Though highly accurate, some patients may suffer over or under-correction, requiring another PRK procedure. In rare cases, vision may become worse after PRK.
Auto-immune diseases, diabetes, arthritis and collagen vascular disease can interfere with healing. The use of steroids or certain other medications can also make it harder to heal after PRK. If you have any of these problems or use these medications, you're not a likely PRK candidate.
If you have thick corneas, LASIK is the best option while those with thin corneas should opt for PRK. When replacing the eye's natural lens, IOL implants and RLEs are better alternatives to LASIK and the most ideal as they offer a permanent and long-lasting solution versus other corrective procedures.
SBK Advanced LASIK is the most advanced form of laser vision correction surgery. It treats common vision conditions such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.
Contoura LASIK is the most advanced laser eye surgery available today. This procedure is sometimes called T-CAT or Topography-guided Custom Ablation Treatment. The top eye surgeons around have perfected the techniques they've learned with LASIK and decided on the strongest tools for the job. T-CAT is the end result.
The average age for LASIK has historically been from the mid-30s up. We know that when patients return unhappy with their vision about 10 years after a LASIK procedure, the chief suspects are presbyopia and cataract. So the answer is: “It's almost always the lens, not the LASIK.”
However, the answer to how long LASIK lasts depends on your age and the speed of your eye deterioration. Typically, LASIK lasts about 10 years before natural deterioration in eyesight (as comes with age) may cause an altered dependency on corrective lenses.
The difference in price between LASIK and PRK can be as much as $1200. LASIK surgery ranges in price between $1000 to $2600 per eye to perform. PRK laser eye surgery's average cost is $2000 to $4000 for both eyes. Both procedures are considered elective procedures and therefore are typically paid out of pocket.
If you're active, you might prefer LASIK because you'll have clear vision faster. But if you're into contact sports, PRK might be best because LASIK requires the doctor to cut a flap on your cornea, and it could get knocked loose. PRK may be a better choice for people with thin corneas and dry eyes.
What Is PRK's Success Rate? PRK laser eye correction boasts a high success rate. According to the FDA, the average success stands at roughly 95%. That means most individuals who have undergone the PRK procedure enjoy significant improvement in their vision without using corrective lenses.
PRK laser eye surgery has a long track record in the military, so most personnel request the procedure by name, and the successful outcomes we have had in the past with PRK are likely why it is still the most requested procedure.
Thin-Flap LASIK Enhancement
If your PRK procedure is not successful, this may be an option for you. Also known as the sub-Bowman's keratomileusis, LASIK uses thin flaps to keep the stromal tissue intact to decrease the risk of corneal ectasia.
Qualifying Factors
Eighteen years old and above. The ideal age is 21 years old because then, your vision has stopped changing. You have a refractive error that PRK can correct. Your corneas must be healthy as with also your general eye health.
Laser eye surgery is often a viable option for seniors, but there may be certain factors to take into account. Here we'll take a look at what to consider if you're over 60 and thinking about laser-assisted vision correction.
Even those over 40 or 50 years old can benefit from the procedure, which is an investment that is worth it compared to wearing glasses or contacts for the rest of their lives. LASIK after 40 can provide improved vision for a long time after the initial surgery, although it is important to have realistic expectations.
It is a common misconception that being over 50 automatically makes you unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery. The reality is, if your eyes are healthy and you have had a relatively stable prescription for two years, you will very likely still be suitable for treatment.