LASIK, LASEK and SMILE: Discover the different types of laser eye surgery

What are the different types of laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a very well-known procedure. Over 15,000 people in the UK are thought to have the treatment each year, not to mention countless celebrities and sports stars advertising their experience of the life-changing surgery. Laser eye surgery also had its infamous scene in popular film franchise Final Destination, catapulting LASIK onto everyone’s radar. But how many people know exactly what laser eye surgery is and that there are different types of surgery available? The type of treatment you are recommended will be based on a number of factors such as your:

• Prescription
• Corneal thickness
• Eye dryness
• Lifestyle and hobbies

At your initial consultation, the optometrist will discuss the above factors with you and put you forward for a specific type of laser eye surgery which is likely to be the best option for you. Essentially, the main differences between each type of laser eye surgery relates to the way in which the top corneal layer is removed. In the simplest terms, laser eye surgery works by removing the top layer of the cornea, applying the laser to the middle layer of the cornea, and then gently replacing the top layer again.

LASIK, LASEK and SMILE differ in the way the top corneal layer is removed before the middle layer is lasered, and we’re going to cover each method here.

What is LASIK laser eye surgery?

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is perhaps the most widely-known form of treatment. It’s also the most popular treatment with Optimax patients, thanks to its quick recovery period. LASIK is a good option for most people who meet our suitability requirements.

LASIK treatment is bladeless and instead requires two different lasers – the first laser cuts a C-shape into the first corneal layer which essentially acts as a flap which can be lifted. Once the flap is created, the surgeon lifts it and applies a different laser to the middle corneal layer; this is the part of the process that actually improves your vision. The flap is then gently replaced by the surgeon and is left to heal, which it does quickly without the need for stitches or further treatment.

Most patients experience recovery within 24-48 hours, with some patients even saying they felt ready to return to work the next day! After LASIK, you will be required to return to the clinic for a check-up appointment with the optometrist the next day. They can assess your healing progress at this appointment and ensure that there are no signs of infection. Lots of our patients are told they have driving standard vision at this check-up, and are cleared to get back behind the wheel again!

What is LASEK laser eye surgery?

LASEK surgery (Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) is the second type of laser eye surgery we offer at Optimax. This treatment uses only one laser – compared to the two required for LASIK – and instead relies on a dilute alcohol solution. Following administering the numbing eye drops, the surgeon applies a dilute alcohol solution to your eye to soften the top corneal layer. This layer can then be gently moved to the side, exposing the middle corneal layer which is where the laser is applied. After the laser has been used, the top corneal layer is moved back into its original position and a bandage contact lens is placed into your eye. This lens will remain in your eye for 3-5 days until your first aftercare appointment, where it will be removed by the optometrist. The lens helps your eye to heal and protects it while the epithelial cells, which were moved in surgery, regrow.

As LASEK is a little more invasive than LASIK, the recovery period is longer. Most patients take around a week to recover from the procedure and feel some discomfort – like a gritty sensation in the eye – while the epithelial cells regrow and the eye heals. LASEK tends to be more suitable for patients whose lifestyles involve playing contact sports such as rugby or marital arts. Because no flap is created in LASEK as it is in LASIK, it means that there is no potential for it to dislodge on trauma or heavy impact later in life. This is a small risk after LASIK surgery which is why we always advise patients with an interest in contact sports to opt for LASEK instead.

LASEK is also more suitable for patients with thin corneas as it can sometimes mean there is not enough corneal thickness to create a flap as is required in LASIK. In these cases, LASEK offers better long-term results without compromising your corneal health.

What is SMILE laser eye surgery?

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally invasive form of laser eye surgery which is ideal for patients with extremely dry eyes and very thin corneas, both of which would make them unsuitable for other forms of laser eye surgery. SMILE is a blade-free procedure which works by several small incisions being made in the top corneal layer by a laser. Unlike in LASIK, a flap is not created and the surgery is instead carried out as a keyhole procedure. The laser is applied to the layer of the cornea underneath the top layer and, after the procedure, the small incisions heal themselves. The surgery, like LASIK and LASEK, is usually carried out in under 15 minutes, and the recovery process is quick.

To clarify, SMILE laser eye surgery is not available at Optimax. However, we are proud to offer LASIK and LASEK treatment, both of which are backed by decades of research and exceptional results. While LASIK and LASEK are long-established forms of laser eye surgery, SMILE is newer and therefore does not have the same history behind it. Further to this, LASIK and LASEK can be used to treat prescriptions – including astigmatisms – for both long-sighted and short-sighted patients, while SMILE is only suitable for short-sighted patients at this time.

Start your laser eye surgery journey

If you want to achieve clear, natural vision, you can start by booking your free consultation with us. We offer no-obligation consultations at our 19 nationwide clinics, enabling you to learn more about the laser eye surgery options available and to discover which might work best for you.

You can book in three easy ways:

• Online booking form
• Phone call (0800 093 1110)
• Emailing enquiry@optimax.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to an Optimax clinic near you soon.