LASEK

LASEK--A Welcome Option in Refractive Surgery

LASEK, or Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy, was developed in 1999 by Dr.Massimo Camellin in Rovigo, Italy. In this refractive procedure, a solution technique is used to loosen the epithelium (the very outer layer of the cornea) allowing the flap to be created. Once the laser treatment is complete, the epithelium is repositioned and the eyes surface is restored to its original smoothness.

Post-operatively, LASEK patients are not as comfortable as LASIK and take longer to achieve their best vision, yet at 2-3 months the results are comparable to LASIK. Patients can expect to return to normal routiunes approximately 5-7 days following their surgery.

The advantage of this procedure is safety. Since the treatment depth is less than in LASIK, the eye benefits from the thicker cornea and is more stable. Dry eye is less severe or absent, and there are no flap complications to manage--making this an attractive option for the more conservative patient. There is a small risk of corneal haze, but that appears to clear over time, in virtually all cases.

With the development of this new procedure, patients with thin corneas and/or large prescriptions may now be candidates for laser vision correction. There is no one perfect refractive procedure. The surgeons of The Eye Center specialize in all refractive surgeries and pride ourselves in expertly evaluating our patients and recommending the best procedure for the indivdual eye condition.