Each of the following surgeries are variations on the same procedure. The difference in these surgeries is the method in which the surgeon accesses the deeper corneal layers. Read more to find out about the different operations.

PRK

In use in the U.S. since 1983, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) has been used to correct thousands of people's vision. During PRK, the surgeon removes the tiniest amount of the upper epithelium of the corneal layer. This gives the surgeon access to the inner layers of the cornea where he can, using an excimer laser, remove the precise amount of corneal tissue to allow light to be perfectly focused on the retina of your eyes, eliminating the need for glasses!

LASEK

A variation of LASIK and PRK, Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) is a refractive procedure that also reshapes the deeper layers of your cornea. In this procedure, the surgeon accesses the corneal layers by applying a weakened alcohol solution to the surface of the eye to loosen the corneal edge. In this way, the surgeon can lift a flap up to access the deeper layers and sculpt them with the laser, creating a cornea that focuses light in the correct way.

LASIK

Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a refractive procedure in which the surgeon creates a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome, a tiny tool much like a carpenter's plane. After a flap is made, the laser is used to reshape the deeper cornea, allowing light to hit the retina properly.

CK

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) is an exciting procedure that can now be used to treat farsightedness (hyperopia) in patients 40 and older. By using radio frequency energy, your surgeon can actually cause the tissue in the cornea to shrink in a very controlled way, steepening the curve of the corneal lens and causing it to focus light correctly. This is a minimally invasive procedure, that appeals to prospective patients because there is no cutting of the eye during the procedure and there is a very short "down-time" following the surgery.