There are basically three eye surgery methods. They are all called almost the same. They are: LASIK, LASEK and LASAK. In addition there are two other methods to improve the result: Wavefront and Aspheric treatment.
Because it is fast, gentle and effective, LASIK is the most popular method. There are very few complications, so it will be a good eye surgery method for most people.
The LASIK operation is painless, and the sight will be improved in only a few hours. There are only a few side effects like dry eyes. The method can be used for near-sightedness until -12 and long-sightedness until +3.
LASEK (also called E-LASIK and ELSA) is a great eye surgery method, if you only are a little short-sighted or long-sighted (from -2 to +2).
Because the operation is made on the surface of the corneas, the LASEK surgery is especially good, if you have thin corneas. It is also better, if you suffer of dry eyes.
LASAK is the most modern method of eye surgery. The flap, which is cut off, is thinner than when using the LASIK method. Because of the saved corneal tissue, it is a great method if you have thin corneas.
LASAK do also have a shorter healing time than the other operations. There is no pain after the surgery and the risk of complications is very low. The eyes will not be as dry as with the other operations, and the sight will be steadier.
To improve the result even further, the Wavefront treatment can be used in combination with all of the three laser surgery methods. A special instrument is used to measure the irregularities on the corneal, and a kind of topographic map is created. A computer makes a range of calculations, so the laser surgery is carried out for the specific eye.
With Wavefront the treatment will be unique, which gives a better result. The night sight will also be better. Finally astigmatism in the eyes will be corrected better.
The newest improvement in eye surgery is called Aspheric treatment; which is used together with one of the three surgery methods. The cornea is aspheric and not ball-shaped; something the Aspheric treatment takes into account.
When using LASIK, LASEK or LASAK without Aspheric treatment, the eye will be more ball-shaped. That gives a reduced contrast ratio and a bad night sight. If the Aspheric treatment is used, the curve in the central part of the eye will be made larger (as it is in an untreated eye). This gives a much better result; sometimes even better than with contact lenses or glasses.
Martin Elmer is writing about eye surgery in Oejenoperation. You can read about LASIK, LASEK, LASEK, Wavefront and Aspheric treatment in Lasak operation.