Is LASEK Better than LASIK Eye Surgery?

Is LASEK Better than LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK surgery has been very popular among people who wear contact lenses or glasses because it has been proved to successfully correct common vision problems (myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsigtedness, and astigmatism) in most of LASIK patients. There have been many studies conducted on LASIK outcomes and shows that at least 90% of LASIK patients achieve 20/40 or better visual acuity after LASIK surgery and over 85% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 or 20/25.

However, there is still a relatively new eye surgery that is almost similar to PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy), an eye surgery that has existed before LASIK. It is the LASEK eye surgery. LASEK stands for Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis. LASEK procedure is developed to reduce the risk of complications after LASIK surgery, that are usually occur when the corneal flap is not cut ideally during LASIK surgery - too thick, too thin, too small or big in diameter.

In LASIK surgery, a hinged corneal flap is cut by laser or blade (microkeratome) and then laser beams are used to remove the underlying corneal tissue and flap is repositioned. But in LASEK surgery, there is no hinged corneal flap formed. Instead, the surgeon will use a finer blade (trephine) and alcohol solution to loosen the edges of epithelium. After 30 seconds, a tiny hoe is used to lift the edge of epithelium and gently fold it back out of the way to allow laser beams to reshape the cornea. Then, the epithelial flap is replaced back to its position by using a kind of spatula.

The outcomes of LASEK surgery are similar from LASIK, but according to some LASEK doctors, the recovery time with LASEK is a little bit longer than LASIK. But of course, it may vary from one individual to another.

LASEK surgery is most performed on people that has too thin or too flat cornea for LASIK. So, if your doctor is suggesting you a LASEK procedure instead of LASIK, you may ask him the reason.

By Lina Lee

Is LASEK Better than LASIK Eye Surgery?