Lasek Information

What is LASEK?

LASEK is a relatively new surgery that utilizes a trephine to create an epithelial flap (as opposed to a deeper stromal flap with LASIK) and an alcohol solution to preserve the epithelial cells. Once the epithelial flap is created and lifted, the treatment proceeds as for traditional PRK, with light smoothing at its conclusion. Then, the epithelial flap is repositioned with a small spatula.

LASEK preserves approximately 160 microns more corneal tissue, on average, than a typical LASIK procedure.

Refractive eye surgeries continue to advance, and more options are becoming available to patients with vision problems that have kept them from corrective surgery in the past.  Combining some of the advantages of two other refractive surgeries, PRK and LASIK , LASEK can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.  LASEK is able to correct vision in patients with corneas that are too flat or too steep for LASIK, and can offer less post-operative pain and a shorter recovery time than PRK.

As with all refractive surgeries, contact use must be discontinued several weeks prior to surgery.  This allows your cornea to return to its original shape.  Before beginning surgery a local anesthetic will be administered.  A small blade, called a trephine, is then used to cut a flap in the epithelium (top layer of the cornea).  The eye is then soaked in a 20% alcohol solution for about 30 seconds, and the flap is removed to expose the stroma (second layer of the cornea).  A laser is then used to reshape the cornea.  

For about four days after surgery a protective contact lens is worn over the treated eye.  For about one to two weeks vision is blurry, and a haloing affect can sometimes be experienced longer, but usually goes away after a while.

Patients usually need to take eye drops for up to two months following the procedure, and should refrain from contact sports and swimming.