If you are considering corrective eye surgery, you probably have a lot of questions. There are actually several different types of eye surgeries to correct vision – each is a little bit different. In this blog post, we’ll explore the three most common types of refractive eye surgery – LASIK, AST, and CK – and discuss how each one handles different types of vision impairments.
LASIK
LASIK surgery is probably the best-known type of corrective eye surgery. Traditional LASIK surgery can be used to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. A newer type of LASIK, known as topographic LASIK, offers exciting advancements, helping patients with nearsightedness and astigmatism achieve an even better quality of vision than traditional LASIK treatments.
During a LASIK procedure, a laser beam is directed at your cornea to reshape it.
Topographic LASIK uses 22,000 data points to fine-tune the surface of the cornea, with some pretty amazing results. More than 92.7 percent of patients treated with topographic LASIK have 20/20 vision after their procedure, with 68.8 percent reporting 20/16 or better vision.
AST
Advanced Surface Treatment (AST) eye surgery is a popular option for patients who may not be candidates for LASIK, either because their eyes are not suitable, or because their lifestyles preclude having LASIK performed. AST can help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism,
and presbyopia. The procedure involves using a cool, ultraviolet light to gently remove layers of eye tissue. Rather than changing the cornea itself, AST just removes the surface skin to reshape the cornea.
Patients whose vision requires a high level of correction, with thin corneas or with dry eye syndrome may have the best results with AST surgery.
CK
Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) eye surgery is designed for patients who experience presbyopia, which is a condition that can make you need reading glasses to improve your near vision as you age.
CK is non-invasive and fast (it can be performed in just three minutes!) CK uses radio frequency energy to reshape the cornea so it focuses light differently. Because the focus of CK is on the periphery of your cornea, your line of sight should not be directly impacted. Recovery from CK is also fast. Most patients return to work the next day and experience improved vision in about a week.
New Vision Eye Center can Help
If you have been thinking about having refractive eye surgery to correct your vision, the first step is to schedule an eye appointment. Dr. O’Brien offers a complimentary consultation to help you determine whether you are a candidate for refractive surgery and if you are he will perform a complete eye exam that takes all of the necessary measurements for your surgery. It’s the most comprehensive eye exam you will ever have! Dr. O’Brien is very selective about his patients because he wants to make sure that the procedure will give you only the best results.
At New Vision Eye Center, we have helped many people just like you improve their vision through surgical procedures, so they are no longer dependent on glasses or contact lenses. To explore whether you might be a candidate for LASIK, AST or CK eye surgery, contact New Vision Eye Center in Vero Beach, FL today. Simply request an appointment online or call us at (772) 257-8700.