![]() With one laser and in approximately 30 seconds, a thin contact lens-shaped layer just beneath the surface of the cornea is created with the laser. SMILE combines advantages of PRK and LASIK: it requires only a small incision, does not require a flap, and has a quick, LASIK-like recovery, with the additional benefit of no postoperative restrictions. It has been shown to be as effective and safe as LASIK, and it is currently available for the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism. The FDA approved SMILE, the latest advance in laser vision surgery, in 2016. PRK is an excellent option for patients with thinner corneas. The main benefits of PRK are no flap and reduced risk of dry eye. The PRK recovery is longer and less comfortable than recovery after LASIK and SMILE. ![]() Most patients have functional vision during this time, and are able to drive and resume most activities by the fourth or fifth day after the procedure. Patients typically experience 48 to 72 hours of scratching, tearing, burning, and light sensitivity after PRK, often requiring short-term pain medication. During PRK, the outer layer of corneal skin cells is removed, followed by the use of the excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue to correct vision. PRK was approved by the FDA in 1995 and was the first type of LVC performed. LASIK is thought to have a slightly higher risk of dry eye compared to SMILE and PRK. The refractive surgeon should screen for dry eye at the preoperative consultation, and treat it prior to the procedure to reduce risk of chronic issues afterward. Typically, the dryness goes away within a week or two, but in other cases it can require ongoing treatment. The most common side effect or risk of LVC is dry eye. Even months after the procedure, there is a small risk of flap dislocation with significant trauma. In the first week especially, patients need to be mindful of the corneal flap, which has a small chance of moving or dislocating with rubbing or hard blinking. Most patients have excellent vision the day after LASIK. After LASIK, patients typically experience a scratching and burning sensation that significantly improves within one day. LASIK has a much quicker and more comfortable recovery compared to PRK. The corneal flap is a layer of the cornea that is folded back to provide access to a deeper layer of the cornea that is reshaped by the excimer laser during the procedure. The excimer laser is a computer-controlled laser that allows precise control over the amounts of tissue that are removed from the cornea. LASIK combines the application of excimer laser and a hinged corneal flap. LASIK, the most commonly performed laser vision correction procedure in the US and the most famous of the techniques, was approved by the FDA in 1998. The different techniques to perform LVC are laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), phototherapeutic refractive keratectomy (PRK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). LVC treats three basic refractive errors: myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism (blurring of vision due to non-spherical shape of the eye), and hyperopia (farsightedness).ĭuring an LVC procedure, the cornea - the clear dome on the surface of the eye - is reshaped in order to correct the refractive error. ![]() The goal of laser vision correction (LVC) is to eliminate or reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses.
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