LASIK, LASEK, IOL
Refractive Surgery: LASIK & LASEK
Refractive surgery is the term used to describe surgical procedures that correct common vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia) to reduce your dependence on prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.
Main difference Between LASIK and LASEK is thickness of the flap which includes corneal stroma tissue in LASIK and only epithelial tissue in LASEK.
Phakic IOLs (Implantable Lenses)
Phakic IOLs (intraocular lenses) are an alternative to LASIK and PRK eye surgery for correcting moderate to severe myopia (nearsightedness), and in some cases produce better and more predictable vision outcomes than laser refractive surgery.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is categorized as flap surgery, where the flap is cut into the stroma directly. LASIK requires a deeper cut into the cornea than surface techniques require, and the flap opens to expose the stroma so the surgeon can shape the deep layers with an excimer laser.
BENEFITS
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Accurately correct most levels of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism.
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Fast procedure, usually lasting only five to 10 minutes, and is generally painless
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Very precise and results are very accurate (Laser-guided procedure)
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20/20 vision or better is typically achieved
HOW IT WORKS
1. With Femto-LASIK, the deeper layers of the cornea are being treated.
2. The surgeon creates a flap with a femtosecond laser and lifts the flap to reach the stroma.
3. The stroma is treated using an excimer laser.
4. This treatment changes the shape of the cornea.
5. The flap is repositioned.
6. After the surgery, the cornea maintains its new shape.
Safer and more efficient
CLEAR SMILE LASIK
What is CLEAR SMILE LASIK?
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Unlike existing LASIK, CLEAR SMILE LASIK is a new method that applies a small laser only to the corneal stroma without creating a corneal flap. A surgery that only penetrates the surface of the cornea, creates a lenticule in the corneal stroma, and extracts it through a minimal incision of about 2 mm near the edge of the cornea.
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CLEAR SMILE LASIK Surgery Procedure
FEMTO LDV Z8 performs surgery with a laser system that reduces corneal damage through micro incisions.
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Lenticule formation Lenticule extraction Vision correction
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The advantages of Clear Smile LASIK surgery
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Low energy -customized surgery for each patient
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10 times faster laser repetition speed, minimal corneal damage
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Fast visual recovery
Good candidates for Clear Smile LASIK surgery
Those who want a quick recovery
Those who are concerned about dry eyes after surgery
Those who have high myopia
or high astigmatism
Those who want to minimize corneal damage
Those who are concerned about dry eyes after surgery
Those who wish to prevent keratoconus
LASEK
LASEK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
With LASEK, the superficial layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is removed to expose the stroma. The stroma is then reshaped with an excimer laser. From a practical point of view, LASEK techniques are almost identical. As for LASEK, the epithelium is removed completely, whereas with LASEK, the epithelium is draped back over the corneal surface at the end of surgery to act as a bandage.
BENEFITS
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Safe and effective
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Lasek patients report slightly better long-term results
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LASEK patients report less postoperative discomfort
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Less risk of infection and decreased incidence of corneal haze after LASEK
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No concern over the possibility of cutting irregular flaps
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Lasek have a faster recovery of nerve sensation in the cornea
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Less incidence of dry eye, a common complaint
HOW IT WORKS
1. LASEK is a superficial form of laser eye surgery.
2. The epithelium is removed.
3. The cornea is reshaped using an excimer laser.
4. After the treatment, the epithelium recovers quickly.
Intraocular Lenses (IOL)
Phakic IOLs
These are clear implantable lenses that are surgically placed either between the cornea and the iris (the colored portion of your eye) or just behind the iris, without removing your natural lens. Phakic lenses enable light to focus properly on the retina for clearer vision without corrective eyewear.
Implantable lenses function like contact lenses to correct nearsightedness. The difference is that phakic IOLs work from within your eye instead of sitting on the surface of your eye.
BENEFITS
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Avoid problems caused by the laser e.g. visual distortions and/or tiny refractive errors
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Works better particularly in patients with high myopia
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No tissue is removed from the cornea when phakic IOLs are implanted
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Less risk of certain postoperative symptoms e.g. dry eye, regression
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The lenses are made of a biocompatible materil - very safe
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Achieve the visual acuity required to legally drive, and close to half (or more) of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better
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Procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes
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The lenses can be removed if necessary
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Under 40s and don’t need reading glasses yet, you will be able to see at multiple distances
IOLs
Visian ICL
Manufacturer: STAAR Surgical Company
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Vision Correction (up to): Nearsighted -3 ~ -23.5D
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Position: Back of iris
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Recovery time: 2~3 days
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Night Glare: Pupil size > 7mm
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Possibility of Regression: None
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Reoperationalble: Yes. Removal or replacement of lens is possible if problems arise
Toric ICL
Manufacturer: STAAR Surgical Company
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Vision Correction (up to): Nearsighted -3 ~ -23.5D, Astigmatism-1 ~ -6D
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Position: Back of iris
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Recovery time: 2~3 days
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Night Glare: Pupil size > 7mm
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Possibility of Regression: None
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Reoperationalble: Yes. Removal or replacement of lens is possible if problems arise
Aqua ICL
Manufacturer: STAAR Surgical Company
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Vision Correction (up to): Nearsighted -0.5D~-18.0D, Astigmatism 0.75D~-6.0D
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Position: Back of iris
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Recovery time: 2~3 days
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Night Glare: Pupil size > 7mm
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Possibility of Regression: None
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Reoperationalble: Yes. Removal or replacement of lens is possible if problems arise
ArtiFlex
Manufacturer: OPHTEC
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Vision Correction (up to): Nearsighted -2~-14.5D
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Position: In front of iris
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Recovery time: 2~3 days
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Night Glare: Pupil size > 7mm
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Possibility of Regression: None
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Reoperationalble: Yes. Removal or replacement of lens is possible if problems arise
Toric ArtiFlex
Manufacturer: OPHTEC
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Vision Correction (up to): Nearsighted -2~-14.5D, Astigmatism -1~-5D
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Position: In front of iris
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Recovery time: 2~3 days
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Night Glare: Pupil size > 7mm
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Possibility of Regression: None
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Reoperationalble: Yes. Removal or replacement of lens is possible if problems arise
Source: www.TheLASIKDirectory.com.
