LASEK SURGERY
LASEK Surgery (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) is similar to LASIK and
PRK. The end goal is very much the same: to reshape the cornea so that light can enter the eye and be translated onto the retina in proper focus, creating clear and crisp vision.
LASEK Surgery vs LASIK
The main difference between
LASEK and LASIK is the thickness of the flap created. With LASIK, the epithelium and stroma are normally cut to a thickness of 100-180 microns, whereas with LASEK, the epithelium is normally cut to a thickness of 50 microns while leaving the stroma uncut.
Pros vs LASIK:
* Suitable if the cornea is too thin for LASIK
* Less depth of laser treatment compared to LASIK
* Reduced risk of compromised corneal thickness
* No complications related to the stromal flap
Cons vs LASIK:
* Patients experience more discomfort during recovery than LASIK patients
* Slower recovery times compared to LASIK
* Vision improvement takes place gradually, so the results take longer to stabilize
* Follow-up enhancements with LASIK are easier if needed
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LASEK Surgery: The Procedure
It differs from LASIK and PRK because it starts with applying alcohol to the corneal epithelium. This is done to loosen the outermost corneal cells, allowing the surgeon to lift the epithelial layer using a surgical instrument (trephine) to preserve it during the surgery. Once the surgery has been completed, this layer is replaced on the eye’s surface and is normally covered with a contact lens to help keep it in place.
Like with PRK, LASEK Surgery can be a good option for certain patients with thin corneas, but its popularity has decreased due to the slower recovery times compared to PRK. Slower recovery times are because it usually takes less time to grow an entirely new epithelial layer than to heal a removed and replaced epithelial layer.
