LASEK—Who Can Benefit?

    /24-7PressRelease/ - BEVERLY HILLS, CA, October 19, 2007 - LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) is a hybrid of LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy).

· LASIK—a laser surgery procedure in which a flap is created in the surface layer of the cornea (called the epithelium) with a microkeratome blade, and then a computer-controlled excimer laser is used to reshape the underlying cornea. The flap is then replaced and heals by itself, protecting the treated area underneath it.
· PRK—a laser surgery procedure where instead of creating a corneal flap, the surgeon outright removes part of the corneal surface by gentle scraping. Then the computer-controlled excimer laser reshapes the underlying cornea as with LASIK. Because the surface cells were removed, they must regrow, so recovery time is a bit longer.
· LASEK—a laser surgery procedure in which the corneal epithelium is cut very shallowly with a trephine blade, which is finer than the microkeratome blade used in LASIK. The epithelium is then treated with alcohol to loosen and separate it from the rest of the corneal tissue. This creates a very thin flap which is then rolled back and the computer-controlled excimer laser is used to reshape the underlying cornea. As with LASIK, the little flap heals by itself.

One of the benefits of LASEK as opposed to PRK is that people are more comfortable after the operation. LASEK can be performed on both eyes the same day or on one at a time.

LASEK (and PRK) are called surface ablation procedures. This is because the corneal surface is ablated (surgically removed, melted, or vaporized) using a laser. With surface ablation, the same laser used in LASIK can be employed to sculpt the cornea and the visual results are equivalent.

Good Candidates for LASEK

The best candidates for LASEK are myopic (nearsighted) people with corneas which are too thin to tolerate traditional LASIK surgery. Since LASEK removes less of the corneal tissue, there's no danger of cutting the flap too deeply, as there would be if they were to be given traditional LASIK.

Also, people who play sports or have jobs with a high degree of eye injury risk may be better candidates for LASEK, since a thinner flap would cause less damage to their eyesight if their eyes are injured before they are completely healed.

Some people may be candidates for LASEK who aren't candidates for LASIK. These prime candidates include people with:

· Dry eyes
· Glaucoma
· Large pupils
· Reasonably thick corneas but small optical zones
· Very flat or steep corneas

If you have any of these conditions, you may be a prime candidate for LASEK, a procedure with equivalent results to LASIK. Dr. Jonathan Davidorf in West Hills, California has an informative website where you can read more about LASIK and its alternatives.

Recovery

LASEK has similar recovery expectations to LASIK. The major differences are that the flap created in LASEK heals in around a day. For approximately four days, LASEK people typically wear a special contact lens which acts as a bandage, adding more protection to the treated area since the flap was made extra-thin. Some people may feel eye irritation during the first couple of days after surgery.

LASIK people may attain good vision in only a few days, whereas after LASEK it may take a few days longer, up to a week. Most LASEK people go back to the surgeon the next day for an evaluation, and then after a week and after three months for follow-up visits.

LASEK may be an option for you if you have previously not been a candidate for traditional LASIK. It is another way to get laser vision correction so you can enjoy the benefits of reduced or eliminated dependence on glasses or contacts.

If you are considering a laser vision correction procedure, contact Dr. Jonathan Davidorf of the Davidorf Eye Group today for your consultation.

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