The Risks Of LASIK Eye Surgery
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Lasik Eye Surgery.

In this day of great medical advance, LASIK eye surgery, which is but one of similar types of surgery, is taking on ever-newer shades of complexity. For this reason, it is the purpose of this article to clarify the differences betwixt some of these multifarious medical techniques.

By and large the forms of ocular surgery that cover general problems such as astigmatisms and nearsightedness can be broken down into 3 categories: Corneal Incision, Photoablation, and Flap Procedures.

Corneal Incision Procedure, often called Keratotomy Procedure is one in which the cornea is misshapen and thus causes a problem with refraction in the eye -poor sight. The cornea is cut to induce a more healthy shape and so better sight. Three of the more common types of this procedure are Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK), Radial Keratotomy (RK), and Hexagonal Keratotomy.

Astigmatic Keratotomy, as it sounds, is for the alleviation of astigmatism. While being slowly pushed to the wayside by the swelling use of certain excimer lasers, AK involves the cutting of the cornea where bulges occur. These areas are then smoothed out and a healthier curve is given to the cornea.

Those suffering from only a modest amount of myopia will be interested in Radial Keratotomy. RK is accomplished by incisions being made in a spoke-like pattern around the cornea, creating a flatter, better cornea. This too is being outmoded by newer technology.

HK, Hexagonal Keratotomy was once the choice for those with hyperopia -far-sightedness, but is being eliminated entirely due to an exceptional display of side-effects.

The next forms of LASIK eye surgery and similar procedures are the Photoablation Procedures, the most common of which is Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). PRK is the second step in both LASIK eye surgery and LASEK operations (see below) and involves the use of ultraviolet radiation to extricate diseased or unnecessary tissue. To this end an excimer laser is utilized, resulting in a healthier shape for the cornea. This procedure is applicable to both near- and far-sightedness as well as astigmatisms, and is an extremely speedy operation.

Lastly in the eye surgery arsenal there are Flap Procedures, the most prominent forms of which include Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Epi-LASIK, Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK), and Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK).

In each form of the Flap Procedures, a flap is cut into the cornea where the underside is cleared of ocular debris. LASIK, by far the most famous of the many forms similar to LASIK eye surgery treats each of the 3 major forms of vision problems in an expedient manner. A flap is cut into the stroma and an excimer laser removes any material deleterious to healthy sight that is found there.

The known as Epi-LASIK eye surgery involves only cutting a flap in the epithelium, rather than continuing into the stroma, and neither blade nor alcohol is utilized, facilitating a lessening of pain and speedier recovery time.

LASEK also entails cutting only the epithelium but employs alcohol to loosen the corneal flap, and for this adds a bit more discomfort and a slower healing curve, yet is optimal for those patients that do not meet the criteria for LASIK eye surgery.

Finally, there is Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty, ALK. Although it is quickly becoming outdated, is good for those with both myopia and hyperopia. Again, a flap is cut into the stroma in an operation that usually concludes within an hour's time.

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