Is it possible to have different LASIK procedures done on my left and right eye?

Doctor's Answer

Yes, it is possible to have any combination of different refractive procedures done on each eye. Example:

1. epiLASIK/PRK in one eye and LASIK in the other

2. epiLASIK/PRK in one eye and SMILE in the other

3. LASIK in one eye and SMILE in the other

4. ICL in one eye and LASIK in the other

5. ICL in one eye and epiLASIK/PRK in the other

and etc…

But it is very uncommon for a particular person to have a different procedure for each eye for various reasons, one of the most important being that there could be large differences in time taken for recovery between the different procedures.

If you are referring purely to LASIK, then the procedure is the same except that the spectacle power being treated could be different between the 2 eyes-eg mainly astigmatism in one eye and mainly myopia in the other.

All LASIK procedures operate on the same principle ie a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap, followed by an excimer laser to reshape the cornea.

Excimer lasers nowadays treat astigmatism very well, up to around 400-500 degrees. Beyond that, ICL surgery is probably the better option.

However, if there is really such a large difference in astigmatism between the two eyes, it would be advisable to check for certain eye conditions that could be underlying this difference. As such, if you are thinking of refractive surgery, the best advice would be to go for a thorough eye check by a refractive surgeon, so that after looking at the results of all the tests, more definitive advice can be given in your particular case.

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