Different types of Laser Eye surgery

PRK:

Photo-refractive keratectomy is the oldest and simplest method of eye correcting surgery. It involves the complete removal of the epithelium or the outer layer of cells on the eye. This method is rarely used now because of the efficiency of the other new, more advanced surgical procedures.

RK:

Radial keratotomy is a surgical procedure designed to flatten the cornea, reduce its optical power, and correct nearsightedness (myopia). The procedure is called a radial keratotomy because the incisions resemble the spokes in a bicycle wheel.

AK:

Astigmatic keratotomy eye surgery corrects astigmatism (When the cornea is shaped like a football) by making one or two incisions at the steepest part of the cornea. These incisions cause the cornea to relax and take a more rounded shape. People with mild prescriptions generally have the best success in obtaining normal vision after astigmatic keratotomy eye surgery. People with more severe astigmatisms may still require glasses or contact lenses after astigmatic keratotomy eye surger

LASIK:

Stands for Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, this type of laser surgery is used to correct people with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The surgical procedure involves cutting a small flap in the cornea, lifting it, and aiming an excimer laser beam to remove corneal tissue. The flap is replaced to start the healing process.

ALK:

Is short for Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty, this type of surgery is mainly used to correct severe nearsightedness. Similarly to LASIK surgery, a flap is made in the cornea which enables the surgeon to reach the underlying tissue. Although in ALK no laser is used instead another incision is made on the sub-layer of the cornea to re-shape the cornea.

LASEK:

This acronym stands for Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis, this form of surgery creates an epithelial flap using a 20% alcohol solution. Contrary to LASIK and PRK there is no cutting or scrapping of the eye it uses the alcohol solution instead. This specific type treats farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism.

LTK:

This is short for Laser Thermokeratoplasty, this method is usually used to treat farsightedness and astigmatism. It works by using a laser beam that forces heat on the cornea to shrink and reshape the cornea. The distorted vision is corrected in a matter of seconds, no waiting for the effects are need and without any cutting or removal of tissue.