Comparing laser eye procedures and lens surgery

These four procedures are currently considered standard in refractive surgery. Areas of Application, Advantages and Disadvantages meet the criteria of Refractive Surgery Commission (KRC)

Femto-LASIK

(LASIK)

Short and painless for small to moderate vision defects in normal cornea

Benefits

• Very short and painless recovery time

Drawbacks

• The eyes may become drier
• Unsuitable for policemen and martial artists due to the risk of the flap slipping due to a blow to the eye

> find out more

PRK/Trans-PRK

(Smart Surface/"No Touch”)

For small to moderate vision defects in thin or irregular corneas

Benefits

• Also for thin and irregular corneas
• Not a flap that could slip due to a blow (suitable for policemen and martial artists)
• The eyes become less dry after treatment (suitable for patients with reduced tear production)

Drawbacks

• Longer recovery time (1-2 weeks)

> find out more

PIOL

(ICL/IPCL)

For severe vision defects and weak corneas

‍

Vantage

• Larger defective vision (especially short-sightedness and astigmatism) can also be corrected
• Even with weakened corneas (e.g. keratoconus)
• Reversible surgery

Drawback

• Internal Eye Surgery with Greater Risks than Laser Eye Procedures
• Higher costs

> find out more

Laser lenticule extraction

(Smile/Clear/SmartSight)

State-of-the-art procedure for minor and medium vision defects with more risks and less long-term experience

Benefits

• Eyes tend to be less dry than after femto-LASIK/LASIK

Drawbacks

• No Correction of Farsightedness
• Fewer long-term values
• Longer recovery time than LASIK/Femto-LASIK and PIOL (2-3 days)
• greater risks of complications
• Can't be repeated or post-corrections as PRK or conversion to LASIK

> find out more

Refractive lens exchange

(Clear Lens Extraction)

From around 50 years of age, the natural intraocular lens can be replaced by an optimally adapted artificial intraocular lens, which corresponds to early cataract surgery

Benefits

• All refractive refractive defects, as well as presbyopia, can be corrected in this way
• There will be no more cataract surgery later

Drawbacks

• Internal eye surgery with greater risks than laser eye procedures
• Higher costs

> find out more