LASIK is not the only surgical procedure to correct vision problems caused by refractive errors. A few alternatives are available, and they may be a better fit for certain people.
Photorefractive keratectomy
Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK is a laser eye surgery. It differs from LASIK in that, instead of creating a flap in your cornea, the surgeon removes the outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, before reshaping the cornea.
After PRK surgery, a soft contact lens is placed over the eye for comfort and to promote healing of the epithelium. Vision improvement with PRK is similar to that of LASIK.
PRK may be a better option than LASIK for people with thin or flat corneas, or for athletes and those with an active lifestyle or career (such as a pilot or race car driver) who are concerned about dislodging the flap after surgery.
However, PRK typically results in more pain in the days immediately after surgery. It takes weeks to months for vision to recover. PRK is also more likely than LASIK to have side effects such as glare and halos around lights, a clouding of the cornea called corneal haze, and scarring.
Small incision lenticule extraction
Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a refractive procedure that uses a femtosecond laser, which emits bursts of energy at a very fast rate, to make tiny incisions in the cornea. Through these incisions, the laser cuts a small disc in the cornea. The surgeon then removes the disc to change the shape of the cornea.
SMILE may be a good option for people whose refractive error is too great to qualify for LASIK. However, this procedure can only correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, but not farsightedness.
The potential risks of SMILE include blurry or hazy vision (corneal haze), difficulty seeing clearly at night, double vision, and dry eye.
Phakic intraocular lens
Another refractive surgical procedure called phakic intraocular lens is an option for some patients who are too nearsighted to be helped by LASIK. This is a more invasive procedure that involves implanting a lens inside the eye.
To learn more about how LASIK and other eye procedures, read LASIK and Other Refractive Procedures, an Online Guide from Harvard Medical School.
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