4 LASIK alternatives that may be just as effective
Learn more about several other procedures that may be available to patients.
Many people on the lookout for vision-correction treatments may choose LASIK. (That stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.) It’s a type of surgery where an ophthalmologist will change the shape of the cornea (the clear part of the eye) with the use of a laser procedure. LASIK may improve a person’s vision so that they may not have to wear contacts or glasses.1
But LASIK may not be right for everyone. In fact, some people may not meet certain requirements to get it. Fortunately, there may be some equally effective choices out there.
“LASIK is a versatile procedure that eliminates or reduces a person’s dependence on glasses or contacts, but it isn’t the only one that does so,” says Michael A. Brusco, M.D., an ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon in private practice in Falls Church, Virginia. “In my practice, 85% of patients qualify for LASIK. However, of those eligible patients, 60% are better suited for a different procedure, for a variety of reasons.”
Read on to find out about these 4 common and successful alternatives to LASIK.
Could LASIK be right for you? Schedule a free exam to find out.
Why LASIK may not be right for some people
In order for a person to qualify for LASIK surgery, they may need to meet certain criteria. “At a minimum, good candidates for LASIK need to be at least 18 with stable vision,” says Dr. Brusco.
He notes that that could mean:
- Their glasses prescription may not have changed significantly over the past year
- Their eyes may be generally healthy with no conditions such as advanced glaucoma, macular degeneration or cataracts
- Their vision may be better with glasses on rather than off
If a patient may have had a big change in their vision within a year, or may not see much improvement from glasses, then it may not be a good idea to get LASIK, he adds.
People who may not be good candidates for LASIK also include those who may have:1
- Corneas that may be too thin or cone-shaped
- Extreme levels of nearsightedness (things appear blurry at a distance), farsightedness (things appear blurry up close) or astigmatism (blurriness at a distance or up close)
- Scars on their cornea, or corneal disease
- Severe dry eye
- Vision issue that may be unstable or changing
4 common alternatives to LASIK surgery
There may be more options for people who don’t qualify for LASIK surgery, but here are 4 potential procedures. Often, they may offer the same vision-enhancing results.
1. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
PRK is a laser procedure that’s similar to LASIK, but it reshapes the cornea without making a flap on its surface. Instead, the top layer may be removed by the eye care provider via a special brush, blade, laser or alcohol solution. Then a laser is used to reshape the cornea.2
After the procedure, a contact lens may be placed over the cornea, with the patient wearing it for about a week to allow the surface of the cornea to grow back and heal, says Dr. Brusco.
Both PRK and LASIK may correct refractive issues — nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism — but PRK may be best for people with flat, steep or thinner corneas, or corneas with irregular surfaces.3, 4
The easiest way to stock up on contacts
Find dailies, monthlies, extended wear and more, from all the top brands.
2. Implantable collamer lenses (ICL)
ICL is a procedure that does not involve the use of a laser to reshape the cornea. Alternatively, a small contact lens may be implanted within the eye, behind the iris (the colored part of the eye).5
“The ICL isn’t quite like a regular contact lens that must be cleaned and maintained daily — after the procedure there is no maintenance at all,” says Dr. Brusco.
Dr. Brusco notes a few other perks:
- The lens is made from higher quality material compared to contact lenses, so it may not tear or get dirty.
- It may not be felt in the eye, and the body may not reject it, because the ICL isn’t harmful to the eye’s tissue.
- It blocks ultraviolet radiation.
ICL may be an option for patients with:
- High levels of nearsightedness or astigmatism
- Thin corneas or those that are irregularly shaped
- Moderate to severe dry eye. The ICL procedure may cause less symptoms of dry eye than laser procedures, says Dr. Brusco.
3. Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)
SMILE is the latest laser treatment that may be used to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism.6 It uses a laser to sculpt and remove a small disc-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) from the cornea through a small incision. Doing so may allow the eye care provider to reshape the cornea.
“SMILE is becoming more popular, especially internationally, and has similar visual results as LASIK,” says Albert Cheung, M.D., an ophthalmologist and associate professor of ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. (He also specializes in cornea and cataract surgery at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia.) “Vision improves quickly, and the procedure is typically painless.”
The only issue with SMILE is that it may be difficult to find an eye care provider with the experience to do this newer procedure, Dr. Cheung adds.
4. Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
RLE may also be called custom lens replacement (CLR) or clear lens exchange (CLE). It’s a procedure that involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial one called an intraocular lens (IOL), says Dr. Brusco.
It’s an advanced technology and may be customizable, notes Dr. Brusco. It may also be able to correct small or large amounts of farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. “There are IOLs that also correct both distance and reading vision simultaneously,” he adds.
Another way to get clearer vision? LASIK surgery. UnitedHealthcare Vision members get up to 35% off laser vision correction services. Schedule a free LASIK exam today!
Sources:
- LASIK — laser eye surgery American Academy of Ophthalmology, May 2024.
- What is photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)? American Academy of Ophthalmology, April 2023.
- Photorefractive keratectomy StatPearls, last updated July 2023.
- LASIK vs. PRK: Which laser eye surgery is right for you? Washington University School of Medicine, January 2024.
- Iris National Institutes of Health: MedlinePlus, last reviewed October 2023.
- What is small incision lenticule extraction? American Academy of Ophthalmology, May 2023.
