Dr. Barnhorst feels very strongly that eye surgeons be able to offer patients multiple options for their vision
correction surgery in order to pick the right procedure for each patient. LASIK may be the best procedure for one
patient while PRK or LASEK may be a better procedure for another patient.
This is why it is so important for patients to feel as though their eye surgeon takes the time to get to know and
personally examine each patient in order to determine the nature of their particular eyes as well as their
particular visual needs and desires. Dr. Barnhorst will tell you not only which procedure is best for you but also
if NO procedure is best for you.
Procedures
LASIK:
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the most widely performed and recognized laser refractive
procedure today. With LASIK, patients are able to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK can be used to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. In the LASIK
procedure, a device called a microkeratome or a laser is used to create a flap in the cornea which is then lifted
up allowing the excimer laser to reshape the underlying cornea. The flap is then laid back down in its original
position and adheres on its own after just a few minutes. The LASIK flap allows for quick visual recovery with
minimal to no post-operative pain.
PRK:
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is also now known as a “surface ablation” procedure. In PRK the excimer laser
performs the same type of treatment as in the LASIK procedure but it is done on the surface of the cornea rather
than under a flap. After the laser treatment is done in PRK, a soft contact lens is placed on the eye and left in
place for about 5 days to allow the surface of the cornea (the epithelium) to heal. Most patients experience
minimal pain after PRK. PRK may be a better procedure for those patients with thinner corneas or those with other
corneal surface disorders which can be corrected at the same time as their vision correction procedure.
LASEK/Epi-LASIK
LASEK or Epi-LASIK is another procedure which also falls under the “surface ablation” category. It is a hybrid
procedure between LASIK and PRK. In Epi-LASIK, a flap is created just at the surface layer of corneal cells
(the epithelium) and the laser is then performed on the surface of the cornea. After the laser treatment is
completed, the epithelial flap can be replaced over the treated area and a contact lens is then also placed on the
eye. Some doctors feel that Epi-LASIK creates less post-operative discomfort than PRK while also allowing for a
safer procedure than LASIK for those patients who may have thinner corneas or other reasons why LASIK may not be
their best option.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the most widely performed and recognized laser refractive
procedure today. With LASIK, patients are able to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK can be used to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. In the LASIK
procedure, a device called a microkeratome or a laser is used to create a flap in the cornea which is then lifted
up allowing the excimer laser to reshape the underlying cornea. The flap is then laid back down in its original
position and adheres on its own after just a few minutes. The LASIK flap allows for quick visual recovery with
minimal to no post-operative pain.
LASEK or Epi-LASIK is another procedure which also falls under the “surface ablation” category. It is a hybrid
procedure between LASIK and PRK. In Epi-LASIK, a flap is created just at the surface layer of corneal cells
(the epithelium) and the laser is then performed on the surface of the cornea. After the laser treatment is
completed, the epithelial flap can be replaced over the treated area and a contact lens is then also placed on the
eye. Some doctors feel that Epi-LASIK creates less post-operative discomfort than PRK while also allowing for a
safer procedure than LASIK for those patients who may have thinner corneas or other reasons why LASIK may not be
their best option.
