LASIK, LASEK, AND PRK: The Three Siblings of Laser Eye Surgery

In the eye care industry, the buzzword lately has been laser eye surgery also know as refractive surgery. Though few know it, there are several procedures that can be preformed to correct vision. Laser-Assisted In Suti Keratomileusis (LASIK), Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK), and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) are the three most common types of eye surgery, each targeting a specific type of eye problems.
LASIK treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. For nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the too-steep cornea. For farsighted people, the shallow cornea is made steeper and for people with astigmatism the procedure smoothes out the irregular shaped cornea.
LASIK is becoming the most common and has been rising in popularity. LASIK is becoming more popular due to its relative lack of pain and the fact that good vision is usually achieved almost immediately or by the next day.
LASIK is a form of flap procedures. An instrument called a microker...