LASIK Surgeon Directory > Refractive Surgery

OTHER TYPES OF REFRACTIVE SURGERY
RK, PRK, AK, Ortho-K, CK, IOL
Vision Correction Procedures

Radial keratotomy (RK) is a surgical procedure popular in the recent past. Now it has been almost completely replaced by LASIK, in which a laser is used to reshape the cornea.

Radial Keratotomy or RK and Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK are other refractive surgeries used to reshape the cornea. Radial keratotomy (RK) is a surgical procedure popular in the recent past. Now it has been almost completely replaced by LASIK, in which a laser is used to reshape the cornea. In RK, a very sharp knife is used to cut slits in the cornea changing its shape. PRK was the first surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea, by sculpting, using a laser. Later, LASIK was developed. The same type of laser is used for LASIK and PRK. Often the exact same laser is used for the two types of surgery. The major difference between the two surgeries is the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is exposed before it is vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is scraped away to expose the stromal layer underneath. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and the flap is folded back.

Another type of refractive surgery is thermokeratoplasty in which heat is used to reshape the cornea. The source of the heat can be a laser, but it is a different kind of laser than is used for LASIK and PRK. Other refractive devices include corneal ring segments that are inserted into the stroma and special contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea (orthokeratology).

• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser procedure used to reduce myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism without creating a corneal flap.
  
• Astigmatic keratotomy (AK) is an incisional procedure to reduce astigmatism.
  
• Intrastromal corneal rings (INTACS) are clear, thin, polymer inlays placed on the eye to correct low myopia only.
  
• LASEK - Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis is a modified form of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). It is similar to LASIK, except that the surgeon cuts a flap in the epithelium only, instead of through the epithelium and part of the stroma
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• Ortho-K Non-Surgical Procedure - Some eye care providers use special names, such as "precise corneal molding" (PCM) or "controlled kerato-reformation" (CKR), to refer to their method of performing Ortho-K.
  
• IOLs - Implant Procedures - Phakic Intraocular Lenses (phakic IOLs), Intrastromal corneal ring segments, lens implants
  
• Conductive keratoplasty (CK) uses radio frequency energy, instead of a laser, to bend the cornea. Also known as "blended vision," CK corrects for hyperopia.

Thermal Procedure - Conductive keratoplasty (CK) s

Conductive keratoplasty (CK) uses radio frequency energy, instead of a laser, to bend the cornea. Also known as "blended vision," CK corrects for hyperopia. By overcorrecting the cornea, CK causes the eye to become nearsighted. "CK achieves its correction of presbyopia," says Beers, "by inducing monovision with one nearsighted eye."

CK does not involve making an incision, but instead, a tiny probe releases controlled amounts of very low heat from radio frequency energy, causing the outside area of the cornea to tighten like a belt, making the central cornea steeper. CK causes little or no discomfort or irritation, and vision improvement is almost instantaneous. Unlike other types of refractive surgery, such as LASIK, however, correction from CK may be temporary and re-treatment may be necessary.

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