LASEK (laser assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis) -- Also called “epi-LASEK,” this procedure is similar to LASIK, but differs in that no flap is made. Rather, the laser is applied directly to the surface of the cornea after the surface epithelium ("skin" layer of the cornea) is slid to the side. The same sophisticated laser used in LASIK is then applied to the cornea and the epithelium is slid back into position. The eye is then covered with a bandage contact lens for approximately 4 to 5 days. Recovery is slower and more painful than with LASIK. Dr. Shapiro uses LASEK for patients whose cornea is too thin for LASIK. LASEK can also be used in a customized wavefront format, although this is considered an “off-label” application.

 PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) -- PRK is very similar to LASEK, the only difference being that the epithelium ("skin" layer of the cornea) is removed completely and allowed to grow back. As with LASEK, Dr. Shapiro uses PRK for patients whose cornea is too thin for LASIK. PRK can also be used in a customized wavefront format, although this is considered an "off-label" application.

 Phakic IOL (implantable contact lens) -- This technology uses an implant placed inside the eye to correct levels of nearsightedness or farsightedness outside the range of LASIK. Although phakic IOL technology gives outstanding visual quality, the risk of this surgery is higher than that of LASIK since this procedure actually involves entering inside the eye, unlike LASIK. The Staar Implantable Contact Lens, the Verisyse lens (formerly called the Artisan lens), and the Calhoon Light Adjustable Lens are examples of phakic IOLs.

Bioptics -- Bioptics is the technique of combining LASIK with the phakic IOL for additive correction.

CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) -- Used to treat farsightedness, CK works by inserting fine needles into the peripheral cornea which emit radio waves to shrink the corneal collagen. In this way, a "purse-string" effect is used to constrict the peripheral cornea, which, in turn, steepens the central cornea to correct farsightedness. Although CK has an excellent safety profile, it does not treat astigmatism and can, in fact, create astigmatism. Also, the results of CK tend to be temporary. Dr. Shapiro generally prefers LASIK over CK for correcting farsightedness.

LTK (Laser Thermal Keratoplasty) -- LTK treats farsightedness by the same peripheral constriction strategy that CK uses, but creates this constriction with holmium laser pulses rather than radio waves.

CORNEAL INLAY -- The corneal inlay is placed under a LASIK-type flap to correct farsightedness and other refractive errors without the use of laser sculpting.

RK/AK (RADIAL KERATOTOMY/ASTIGMATIC KERATOTOMY) These procedures use microscopic incisions to reshape the corneal tissue to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism.

ALK (Automated Lamellar Keratoplasy) Essentially a mechanical form of LASIK, this is the procedure upon which LASIK is based. With ALK, a similar flap is created and the underlying tissue is sculpted mechanically rather than with a laser. ALK, in one form or another of its evolution, has been around since the 1940s.

ICR (INTACS) Two C-shaped rings (Intacs) are placed in the peripheral cornea to correct low levels of nearsightedness without astigmatism.