Wanna Ditch Your Glasses? Let’s Talk About Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery is a safe, common procedure that can be used to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism and give you the freedom from contact lenses and glasses that you crave.
Laser Eye Surgery Eligibility
To help determine if laser eye surgery is a good choice for you, Oakland Vision Center Optometry offers laser eye surgery consultations. During your visit, we will examine your eyes and discuss your options. If you choose to undergo laser eye surgery, we will refer you to our partner clinic, the Turner Eye Institute, and provide you with postoperative care to monitor your recovery.
Types of Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery uses surgical lasers to improve vision by reshaping your cornea. Two of the most common types of laser eye surgery are PRK and LASIK.
PRK was the first type of laser eye surgery for vision correction. Though the recovery period is longer for PRK than LASIK, it is still commonly performed and has a few advantages. During PRK the outer layer of your cornea (the epithelial layer) is removed before your cornea is reshaped, eliminating the risk of flap complications. The epithelium regrows within a few days after surgery. PRK is typically suggested for patients whose corneas are too thin for LASIK.
During LASIK surgery a small flap is created in the outer layer of the cornea, and the underlying cornea is reshaped using a laser, The flap is replaced once the procedure is finished, allowing for a shorter recovery time than PRK. LASIK patients typically experience less discomfort and faster vision stabilization times than PRK patients.
If you are curious about laser eye surgery, please request a consultation.
