Many people opt for Lasik surgery to correct their eyesight so they no longer need to wear glasses to see properly. Lasik surgery isn’t just one type of eye surgery, though. There are actually three different types, which are the following:
- PRK
- LASEK
- EPI-LASIK
When regular Lasik surgery is performed, the treatment is placed under the flap of the eye over the cornea. With epi-Lasik, the surgery is done on the cornea itself. Here are four advantages of epi-Lasik surgery.
Safer than Lasik
Even though Lasik surgery is usually performed more often than an epi-Lasik surgery, it can be a safer procedure. Epi-Lasik doesn’t require any sharp instruments to be used during the vision correction surgery. People who have certain corneal measurements would have less risks with an epi-Lasik procedure than a regular Lasik procedure.
Also, it can be better for people with:
- Larger pupils
- Certain types of corneal dystrophies
- Those with thin or irregularly shaped corneas
- Those who do not want the flap
Epi-Lasik may also be safer for those with hobbies or professions which requires physical contact with others. Therefore, an eye surgeon may recommend it for those who play racquet sports, boxers, police officers, firefighters, or those in the military. With Lasik, physical contact could dislodge the flap on the eyes, but since epi-Lasik is done sans flap, that isn’t an issue.
Sharper Night Vision
There are two types of epi-Lasik procedures: the standard procedure and the wavelength procedure. The standard epi-Lasik procedure improves the sight for those with mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
The Wavelength epi-Lasik procedure provides better visual contrast, sharper night vision, and may provide some with better than 20/20 vision. The wavelength procedure works best for those with large pupils, poor night vision, and those who need larger corrections.
Less Discomfort
New techniques for epi-Lasik procedures has reduced the discomfort of those who had undergone the original PRK procedures. With the soft-brush techniques, there is less eye discomfort, and fine tuning the procedures has helped to lessen the recovery period.
One reason regular Lasik is performed more often is because the recovery period is much faster. However, with changes in techniques, recovery for epi-Lasik patients is more comfortable, and most patients can usually resume most tasks requiring good visualisation, like driving, in three to four days.
Reduced Dry Eyes
One of the complications of having Lasik is dry eye syndrome, which can be a chronic and sometimes progressive condition. Fortunately, there are fewer occurrences of dry eye syndrome amongst people who had epi-Lasik surgery.
Patients with dry eye syndrome can usually be treated with artificial tears, or lubricating eye drops. If you’re considering Lasik to correct vision problems, ask a doctor about your options so you can learn more about epi-Lasik in Singapore.
Making decisions about what type of eye procedures to have when you want to correct your vision can be difficult, but learning the facts about all of your options can help you choose which procedure to have. Learn about each option and discuss them with your doctor so you can make an informed decision.
