LASIK Educational Material
Laser Eye Surgery in Denver, Colorado
LASIK Alternatives - PRK, CLE
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Non-surgical
Lens implants
Laser-related refractive surgeries
Other refractive surgeries
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are certainly safe, relatively inexpensive and most people can tolerate them well. Sometimes, depending on the nature of the correction, the lenses may be thick and compromising to the size of the visual image. Complications associated with the use of glasses are rare, unless they become misplaced or restrict certain activities.
Contact lenses are a popular non-surgical alternative. Contact lenses come in a variety of materials and colors. Comfort, effectiveness, and ease of use vary with each individual. Since contact lenses rest directly on the cornea , not everyone is able to tolerate them well, and they may restrict certain activities. Well-fitted and used properly, contact lenses are effective and relatively safe. Complications arising from the use of contact lenses include allergic reactions, infections, scratches, ulcers, or other injuries to the cornea.
Clear lens extraction (CLE)
Clear lens extraction is a procedure in which the eye's natural internal lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens implant , sometimes referred to as an "IOL". In the past five years, it has become an acceptable alternative to other refractive procedures.
Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)
The phakic intraocular lens is placed inside the eye without removing the natural lens, and performs much like an internal contact lens. There are some very exciting and promising phakic IOLs that are currently under study for FDA validation.
Prelex
A type of Clear Lens Extraction, Prelex is a surgical procedure that attempts to correct presbyopia . Some new implants that are currently under investigation may make this a viable procedure, and Dr. Cutarelli will advise his patients as these new options will be available.
Intacs
Intacs are surgically implanted plastic half rings that change the shape of the cornea . For patients who suffer from Keratoconus and cannot wear glasses or contacts, Intacs can provide clear maintenance-free vision. Intacs prescription inserts are clear, thin prescription inserts that allow light rays to focus properly on the retina by gently reshaping the curvature of the cornea. There is no cutting or permanent removal of tissue involved, and Intacs can be removed and replaced if your vision changes. Even patients with severe keratoconus who have lost their ability to wear contact lens (Contact Lens Intorlerant) may achieve excellent vision and comfort with contact lenses after receiving Intac surgery.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) can effectively treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. PRK uses an excimer laser to remove microscopic amounts of corneal tissue to correct vision. The excimer laser is a cold laser that gently breaks the molecular bonds between cells to remove tissue in microscopic layers. Unlike LASIK, where a flap is created and tissue is removed from the interior part of the cornea, PRK removes tissue from the surface of the cornea. With PRK it is possible to achieve normal natural vision without the need for glasses or contacts. PRK has a short recovery time of 3 to 5 days.
PRK eye surgery is used in a number of cases instead of LASIK. It is primarily for those with dry eyes or for those whose cornea may be too thin to allow for the creation of the corneal flap required for LASIK eye surgery. For more information, please read our section on PRK.
LASEK
In LASEK, the epithelium, or outer layer of the cornea , is cut with a fine blade called a trephine, which involves displacing the corneal epithelium as a sheet and then replacing it to act as a natural bandage.
Laser Thermokeratoplasty (LTK)
LTK used a holmium 'heat' beam laser instead of the 'cool' beam excimer laser to treat farsighted patients.
Radial Keratotomy (RK)
RK was the first refractive procedure practiced in the U.S. on a wide scale. It was first introduced in the U.S. in 1978. Radial Keratotomy is seldom performed today because the excimer laser can achieve the same effect without placing deep radial incisions of RK.
Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK)
AK treats astigmatism by flattening the cornea with arc-shaped incisions in its periphery. It is similar in principal to RK.
Automated Lamellar Keratoplasy (ALK)
Automated Lamellar Keratoplasy is a procedure that existed before LASIK eye surgery.
Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
CK is a procedure in which a radio frequency probe rather than a laser is used to reshape the cornea . It is approved for low to moderate hyperopia in patients over age 40.
