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So what are the differences between LASEK laser eye surgery and traditional LASIK surgery? Well basically LASEK is a combination of PRK and LASIK, the two most commonly used forms of vision correction surgery. LASEK was developed to maximize the benefits of laser eye surgery, while minimizing the possible side effects.
LASEK and LASIK are both eye treatments that improve vision by reshaping the cornea (the surface) of the patient's eye, thus eliminating or reducing the need for glasses or contacts. The two procedures go about this reshaping of the cornea in different ways. In traditional LASIK surgery, an instrument known as a microkeratome is used to carve a thin, circular flap in the part of the eye known as the cornea. A laser can also be used to create this flap. The eye surgeon then folds this corneal flap up and out of the way, and removes some of the corneal tissue beneath with a excimer laser (also referred to as "ablating" the tissue).
In LASEK surgery, the epithelial flap is created in a different way. LASEK eye surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia. Instead of cutting the flap with a laser or microkeratome, the top layer of cells are treated with a 20% alcohol solution for half a minute, then the flap is detached from the underlying tissue in much the same way as LASIK surgery. Once the flap is lifted away, the surgeon can then access the corneal tissue, and ablate it as needed with an excimer laser. Then the flap is carefully replaced and the eye is left to heal.
Because the LASEK procedure creates a thinner flap than LASIK, often the complications associated with a thicker flap are reduced. There is also a new type of LASEK laser eye surgery that requires no cutting or creation of a flap at all, which of course eliminates any flap-related complications entirely. This type of vision correction surgery is also recommended for patients who are not good candidates for traditional LASIK, such as patients with thin or flat corneas, exceptionally large pupils, or who suffer from chronic dry eyes.
In most cases, the post-operative results are amazing. Many patients report having sharper vision than with glasses or contacts, and some can see even better that 20/20 after the procedure. Another benefit of LASEK over LASIK is that the former is less traumatic to the eye, and so is better suited for very active people who put themselves at increased risk of injury. Many patients also report a reduction of night glare and halos with LASEK.
The main drawback to LASEK is the fact that recovery times are longer with this type of eye surgery. It can often take a couple of days longer to fully recover your sight than with LASIK, and with some patients it can take a week or more before vision is fully restored. PRK surgery has a similar recovery time. Another drawback is the fact that LASEK is often more painful than LASIK. The pain typically goes away in a couple of days, but the patient will still need to wear bandages over their eyes for three or four days after the procedure.
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Did you know that over one million laser vision correction procedures are performed in the US each year?
Becase of the accuracy of results, speed of recovery, and ease of treatment, lasik laser vision correction has become one of the most commonly performed surgeries throughout the US and the entire world.
