WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF REFRACTIVE SURGERY?
In all the methods the end result is the same – correction of refractive errors. But the surgical procedure involved in changing the corneal curvature is different. They are 1) Radial keratotomy (RK) 2) Photorefractive keratotomy (PRK) LASER IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS (lasik) 3) Intracorneal rings (INTACS) 4) Epikratophakia 5) Keratophakia 6) Conductive keratoplasty Out of these various methods the ones in vogue today due to their superior results are 1) Photorefractive keratotomy (PRK) 2) Laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) The advent of the excimer laser as an instrument for use in reshaping the cornea was a leap forward in refractive surgery. Laser energy can be delivered on the corneal stromal surface with PRK or deeper on the corneal stroma by means of lamellar surgery and creating a corneal flap in LASIK procedure.
