What Type of Laser Eye Surgery is Right for Me?

Up to 75% of people in Canada will wear corrective lenses, either glasses or contacts, at some time. Whether they use prescription lenses or reading glasses, many people wish they could free themselves from these limitations. Laser eye surgery is a fast, effective way to correct refractive errors and let you enjoy life without corrective lenses. 

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. All three of these conditions can be corrected with laser eye surgery. All three types of laser eye surgery use a laser to reshape the cornea, the dome-shaped layer of your eye that changes the angle of light passing through it. Reshaping the cornea allows light to focus correctly. Your Visionmax Eye Centre doctor will recommend the best treatment for you. 

What Type of Laser Eye Surgery is Right for Me?

Choosing the best type of laser eye surgery for you will depend on factors, including what kind of refractive error you have, how severe it is, and the thickness of your cornea. All three of these options use a laser for corneal reshaping. 

PRK

PRK stands for Photorefractive Keratectomy. During this procedure, the cornea’s outer layer (epithelium) is removed, allowing your surgeon to reshape the cornea to improve the angle of light reaching the retina. PRK may be right for you if:

• You have astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness
• You have thin corneas that make you ineligible for LASIK or SMILE
• You have a history of eye trauma including corneal scarring

LASIK

During LASIK, a femtosecond laser creates a flap of corneal tissue. Your surgeon folds this back and uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The flap will start to heal as soon as the surgeon replaces it, resulting in a recovery time of only a few days. LASIK may make a good choice for you if:

• You need to be back to work within 3-4 days
• You have a good corneal thickness
• You do not have problems with dry eye
• Your degree of correction is within the range of LASIK

SMILE

Unlike the other two procedures, SMILE only uses one laser, making the procedure less complex. The surgeon will create a tiny incision and use it to remove a piece of corneal tissue called a lenticule. The size and shape of the lenticule are calculated to improve your vision by changing the shape of the cornea. SMILE is an excellent option if you:

• You prefer a treatment with less residual dryness
• You are nearsighted or have astigmatism
• You need a fast recovery
• You engage in contact sports
• You want to avoid possible complications with a flap

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery?

If you have a refractive error, one of these types of laser eye surgery will likely work for you. If you are not suitable for one, another may work well. Let your eye doctor recommend a procedure based on your needs. 

Take the Next Step

To learn more about Laser Eye Surgery, please schedule your consultation by either filling out the form on this page or by calling (780) 452-4111. We look forward to helping you!