When most people think of laser eye surgery, the word LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) comes to mind. However, most people don’t realize that a good LASIK clinic in Los Angeles like Excel Laser Vision Institute offers more than this traditional method of vision correction. There are different types of LASIK surgery, marked by the kinds of tools and strategies utilized.
The introduction of the femtosecond laser allowed LASIK surgeons to create the corneal flap more precisely, which then formed the idea of “bladeless” LASIK. This laser technology also supported the improvement of cataract surgeries and prompted the invention of SMILE, a LASIK alternative that requires no flap and no excimer laser.
If you’re looking for the best laser eye surgery in Los Angeles, then you must find a clinic that offers multiple procedures. This ensures that there are more options for your individual eye condition and vision goals. Traditional LASIK is not right for everyone and there are plenty of safe, efficient alternatives that provide the same amazing results. When you visit a clinic that offers alternatives like SMILE, you can be assured that their surgeons have the utmost attention to patient care and experience with the latest methods and technology.
SMILE stands for small-incision lenticule extraction and is especially helpful for people with varying prescriptions of nearsightedness. The way that this alternative differs from LASIK is that it only utilizes the femtosecond laser for a small incision to extract tissue, rather than an entire flap. Patients who are more suited to SMILE, rather than LASIK, may have more sensitive eye conditions that would benefit from a flap-free procedure.
Another potential vision correction alternative that your LASIK clinic such as Excel Laser Vision Institute might offer is PRK. This procedure actually predates traditional LASIK, but has its advantages for people with certain eye conditions. For example, when you visit an eye center for an in-depth evaluation, your eye care professional will check the width of your cornea to see if you qualify for LASIK eye surgery. People with naturally thin corneas may not be eligible for the procedure; however, they can greatly benefit from the PRK method.
Once your laser eye surgeon completes your eye examination, they will recommend the best procedure to treat your refractive errors. Some factors that may play into your candidacy for one surgery or another are your prescription, eye health, pupil size, cornea width, and any preexisting health conditions. Your surgeon will discuss the entirety of the procedure, from the day of the surgery to the following post-operative appointments. Recovery is often very quick for LASIK; however, the timeline may vary depending on whether you are receiving an alternative version of vision correction.
In terms of LASIK eye surgery cost, this will fluctuate depending on the patient’s individual eye condition and the chosen procedure. However, laser eye surgery has never been more affordable and many clinics offer no-interest financing options to make payments even more manageable.
The next time you think about getting laser eye surgery, you should schedule an appointment at the Excel Laser Vision Institute and speak to an eye care professional about your vision goals. With a variety of vision correction procedures available, you will be able to achieve the clarity of vision you desire to improve your quality of life.
