What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of laser eye surgery? If your answer is Femtosecond laser cataract surgery, then you’re not the only one. However, there are also many other permanent vision correction procedures available such as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Femto SMILE which many people are not aware of but which one is the best procedure for your condition. Read on to find out.  

Photorefractive Keratectomy  

Before LASIK was developed, PRK or Photorefractive Keratectomy was used for laser cataract surgery. It works the same way as LASIK. The only difference is that in PRK, the top layer of the cornea is taken out. Even though the recovery period is longer and a little painful, PRK is still widely used and serves as an excellent alternative for those who cannot undergo laser cataract  

The biggest disadvantage of PRK is that it is a rather uncomfortable procedure recovery can take three days and full vision restoration can take up to 3 months.   

LASIK  

Advancements in technology led to the development of LASIK which has a quicker healing time as compared to PRK. During LASIK, the surgeon will create a tiny flap of corneal tissue which is folded back so that an excimer laser can reshape the cornea and change your vision. Laser cataracts can be used to treat a variety of vision problems like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Most patients can resume work and driving the day after the procedure.  

LASIK procedure can be done with the help of a blade and also can be done without the use of a blade using the Femto LASIK platform  

FEMTOSMILE  

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a recently developed refractive procedure that makes use of a femtosecond laser to corneal lenticule which is then extracted without using an excimer laser. This procedure is fairly quick and hardly takes only a few minutes to complete. It is a good alternative for patients who want the benefits of PRK but a quicker healing time. SMILE can be used to treat near-sightedness as well as astigmatism.  

The major disadvantage of a SMILE procedure is that it can treat only near-sightedness and astigmatism but not farsightedness. In addition, the recovery period is longer as compared to laser cataracts but faster than PRK.  

Which Is the Best Laser Eye Surgery?  

Which is the best laser cataract procedure for you can only be decided by a skilled ophthalmologist after a thorough eye examination and consultation. Every patient has unique needs. Dr. Himanshu Mehta is one of the leading eye surgeons in Mumbai who has successfully performed more than 5,000 refractive treatments including for some of the biggest names in the industry. His wealth of experience ensures that we are always at the forefront of corrective eye surgery innovation and maintain the highest standards of patient care. Our mission is not only to cure blindness but also to ensure a better quality of life irrespective of economy, strata, caste creed, or nationality.