4 LASIK Alternatives to Consider | LASIK Alternatives | Eye Care Specialists (2024)

FAQs

4 LASIK Alternatives to Consider | LASIK Alternatives | Eye Care Specialists? ›

Alternatives to LASIK are PRK and LASEK. These procedures are preferred over LASIK in some situations where the patient's corneas are thin or where lifestyle predisposes the eye to trauma, like soldiers and boxers.

Alternatives to LASIK are PRK and LASEK. These procedures are preferred over LASIK in some situations where the patient's corneas are thin or where lifestyle predisposes the eye to trauma, like soldiers and boxers.

For individuals who might be hesitant about traditional LASIK surgery, less invasive alternatives are viable options. Advanced surface ablation techniques, such as PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), offer vision correction without creating a corneal flap, appealing to those concerned about flap-related complications.

While LASIK and PRK are now both accepted by most military branches, PRK – and its close cousin ASA – is the most common and is embedded in military culture. PRK has been and continues to be the go-to eye corrective surgery in the military.

SMILE is a newer version with fewer side effects. It is even less invasive than LASIK, but it only works for people with myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. While there are some important differences between SMILE and LASIK, the pros and cons overlap.

In our experience, SILK emerges as the clear leader in the realm of vision correction, surpassing SMILE and LASIK in safety, efficacy, and recovery. Its advanced technology and patient-centric design make it an ideal choice for those seeking superior visual outcomes and a quick return to daily life.

LASIK's market share is shrinking as consumers become more aware of safer alternatives to LASIK and more suspicious of profit-focused “LASIK Mills.” In 2009, the FDA found that 46% of LASIK recipients experienced one or more visual problems after the surgery, including dry eyes, haze, halos, and starbursts.

FDA Approves New LASIK Technology in 2024

In early January 2024, the FDA approved the Teneo Excimer Laser Platform created by Bausch + Lomb Corporation. This new LASIK device offers enhanced vision correction for myopia (nearsightedness) and myopia with astigmatism.

Does the military prefer LASIK or PRK? ›

That was true at one time but not much now. In most branches of the American military LASIK and PRK are both routinely performed on active personnel. There are few LASIK disqualifications of military applicants including for aviation.

The preferable procedure is PRK since it does not leave a flap on your cornea. Thus, it is much safer and more effective than LASIK in the long run. PRK may take longer to heal than LASIK, but the results are the same. This is true when a competent surgeon does the procedure.

TRICARE doesn't cover LASIK surgery, as it only covers procedures that are deemed medically necessary and LASIK is considered elective. However, LasikPlus provides a 20% discount for veterans, military, and active duty members. No, LASIK is not free for military personnel.

The four alternatives to traditional LASIK eye surgery are LASEK, Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants, Epi-LASIK, and Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery. If you have thin or flat corneas, LASEK is one of the best LASIK alternatives.

LASIK is generally considered a safe and effective procedure for correcting myopia, with most patients achieving 20/20 vision or better. Regarding implanted contacts v. LASIK, ICL is a more invasive procedure, but it is also more effective and is better for people with higher degrees of myopia.

Contoura LASIK is the most advanced laser eye surgery available today. This procedure is sometimes called T-CAT or Topography-guided Custom Ablation Treatment. The top eye surgeons around have perfected the techniques they've learned with LASIK and decided on the strongest tools for the job. T-CAT is the end result.

Laser vision correction (LVC) is considered the safest eye correction surgery to obtain a “specs-free” life for patients with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurring of vision due to improper shape of the eye).

The difference in price between LASIK and PRK can be as much as $1200. LASIK surgery ranges in price between $1000 to $2600 per eye to perform. PRK laser eye surgery's average cost is $2000 to $4000 for both eyes. Both procedures are considered elective procedures and therefore are typically paid out of pocket.