Dr Natasha Lim Explains the Difference Between LASIK and SILK™

When it comes to laser vision correction in Singapore, understanding your options is crucial for making an informed decision. Dr Natasha Lim, a leading expert in advanced refractive surgery and a pioneer specialist surgeon in the SILK™ procedure, is uniquely positioned to guide you through these two modern approaches to achieving freedom from glasses and contact lenses.

Understanding the Two Procedures: Dr Natasha Lim’s Expert Perspective

LASIK: The Established Approach

Dr Natasha Lim explains that LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), developed in the early 1990s, is a well-established two-step laser vision correction procedure:

• Step 1: Creating a thin, hinged flap on the surface of the cornea using a precise femtosecond laser
• Step 2: Reshaping the underlying corneal tissue with an excimer laser after gently lifting the flap, then carefully repositioning it to naturally re-adhere

LASIK has a long and successful history, with proven effectiveness for correcting myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. However, Dr Natasha Lim notes that patients should be aware that the flap creation entails severing the corneal nerves, which can potentially lead to post-operative dry eyes and flap-related complications.

SILK™: The Flapless Innovation

As one of Singapore’s foremost experts in SILK™ (Smooth Incision Lenticular Keratomileusis), Dr Natasha Lim is particularly enthusiastic about this newer technology, commercialised in 2023.

According to Dr Lim, SILK™ represents a significant advancement in laser eye surgery, as a flapless procedure that utilises a cold femtosecond laser system operating entirely within the cornea stroma bed.

The procedure involves creating a very thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue (a lenticule), which is then gently removed through a small 2mm keyhole incision. This lenticule is sized in thickness to the exact amount of refractive power that needs to be treated in each patient. Its removal reshapes the cornea without the need for a flap, thereby preserving more corneal nerves, enabling improved preservation of corneal strength, yet correcting refractive error with reliable precision.

Dr Natasha Lim’s Key Differentiators: What You Need to Know

Drawing on her extensive experience with both procedures, Dr Lim highlights the critical differences:

1. Flap vs. Flapless: The Fundamental Distinction

Dr Natasha Lim emphasises that the most significant difference is structural. While LASIK requires creating a corneal flap, which can lead to flap-related complications such as flap striae and flap dislocation, loss of cornea biomechanical strength and increased post-operative dry eye symptoms, SILK™’s flapless approach better preserves corneal biomechanical stability and nerve structure, potentially reducing the risk of corneal ectasia and minimising post-operative dry eyes.

2. Advanced Precision Technology

She also explains that SILK™’s cold femtosecond laser represents newer, improved technology. It uses the lowest pulse energy available—approximately 40-50 nJ—with the smallest spot size of about 1 µm, and a contiguous laser cut pattern. Combined with its biconvex lenticule shape, this technology achieves minimal post-operative higher-order aberrations, which can translate to enhanced visual quality and improved depth of focus for patients.

3. Recovery and Comfort

Both procedures offer quick recovery times, Dr Lim notes. However, SILK™ patients often experience less post-operative discomfort due to the smaller incision and better nerve preservation. At Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre, 95% of SILK™ patients achieve 20/20 or better uncorrected distance visual acuity just one day post-operation, with 99% reaching this milestone by month three.

Making Your Decision with Dr Natasha Lim’s Guidance

Dr Lim emphasises that while both LASIK and SILK™ are effective forms of laser eye surgery for correcting myopia and astigmatism, the optimal choice depends entirely on individual factors.

Every patient is unique, and factors such as eye health, prescription, lifestyle, and concerns about dry eyes all play a role in determining which procedure is best suited. That’s why Dr Lim conducts thorough eye examinations and takes the time to discuss all options in detail with each patient.

Experience Expert Care at Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre

Whether you’re curious about the proven reliability of LASIK or interested in the benefits of SILK™, Dr Natasha Lim’s expertise ensures you’ll receive comprehensive guidance tailored to your specific vision goals.

Schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre today and determine the ideal treatment option for achieving your vision correction goals.