​LASIK 

  • A thin flap of cornea tissue is created with the use of a specialised bladed instrument called a microkeratome
  • The corneal flap can also be created using a femtosecond laser keratome. LASIK where a femotsecond laser keratome is used is often referred to as bladeless or all-laser LASIK. Femtosecond lasers are said to offer a higher degree of safety and better quality flaps as compared to the microkeratome. 
  • The corneal flap is flipped open and an excimer laser is applied to reshape the cornea. The corneal flap is then returned to its original position. 
  • After LASIK, the patient can usually see well within a day. With LASIK, there is less discomfort and a lower risk of haze as compared to PRK.
  • LASIK is effective for low to high myopia of up to 1500 degrees and astigmatism of up to 600 degrees and low to moderate hyperopia.​

 Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

  • Suitable for low to moderate degrees of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.  
  • Outer layer of the cornea is removed after the eye is numbed with anaesthetic eyedrops. 
  • The excimer laser beam is then used to reshape the surface of the cornea. No scapels are used and no incision is made.
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Epi-LASIK

This is a variant of PRK and refers to the use of a special equipment that separates the front-most layer of cells (the epithelium) from the surface of the cornea. The same laser used in LASIK and PRK is applied and this thin layer of cells is then placed back over the cornea. This is suitable for those with thin corneas but require a high degree of correction.