What form of Laser Eye Surgery is LASEK?
Eye surgery known as LASEK is a type of laser vision correction that can address nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Excimer lasers are used in LASEK, just as they are in LASIK and PRK, two other forms of laser vision correction.
In all three procedures, the surface of the eye, known as the cornea, is reshaped. LASEK is a surgical procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve the eye’s focusing power. This results in sharper vision that does not require the use of glasses or contact lenses.
Patients who, in other respects, would be suitable candidates for PRK are typically encouraged to follow the LASEK route instead. When contrasting LASEK vs LASIK, be sure you have a firm grasp of the distinctions between the two best laser eye surgery procedures.
LASIK and LASEK: What’s the Difference Between These Two Procedures?
The LASIK surgery procedure is not appropriate for everyone. On the other hand, those individuals who aren’t suitable candidates for LASIK surgery may discover that LASEK surgery is a solution for meeting their requirements for laser vision correction.
People who are suitable candidates for laser vision correction should expect results that are comparable across all of the different types of laser surgery.
The process of preparing the eye for the laser treatment is where LASIK and LASEK surgery diverges significantly from one another. LASIK surgery is the more common of the two procedures.
A microkeratome or a femtosecond laser is a surgical instrument that is used to generate a thin flap on the cornea during the LASIK surgery procedure.
The surface of the cornea, just under the protective flap, is treated with the laser vision correction procedure. After that, the flap is repositioned such that it covers the area that is being treated. The new flap acts as a natural bandage, ensuring that the eye remains comfortable while it heals; as a result, the patient’s vision is significantly improved the following day.
What’s the Difference Between LASEK and PRK?
During the PRK procedure, the surgeon will begin by removing a very thin layer of the cornea’s outermost layer, which is a layer of cells known as the epithelium. It is possible to remove the epithelium using either a mechanical tool like a spatula or the use of alcohol. After that, an excimer laser is used to remodel the corneal tissue that lies beneath the surface.
After that, a bandage contact lens is positioned, and around five days later, a new epithelial layer will have grown back.
How Does the LASEK System Operate?
The LASEK laser eye surgery incorporates aspects of both the LASIK and PRK surgery procedures to varying degrees. LASEK surgery is a procedure that, similar to PRK surgery, involves separating the epithelium, which is the layer of cells that cover the cornea, from the tissue that lies underneath.
However, with LASEK, the epithelium is not totally removed and thrown away like it is in PRK.
Instead, the epithelium is gently moved to one side of the cornea, and it remains attached to the eye throughout the procedure.
Following the application of the excimer laser treatment to the exposed cornea, the epithelial tissue is repositioned such that it covers the surface of the eye once again. After that, a bandage contact lens will be placed on the eye in order to maintain the epithelium’s position while the eye is healing.
Epi-LASIK, often known as e-LASIK, is a variant of LASEK that does not include the use of alcohol to relax the epithelium before the laser treatment procedure. In epi-LASEK, the surgeon separates the epithelium from the eye using nothing more than a plastic blade that has been dulled. Utilizing this method eliminates the risk of an alcohol-induced response, which might potentially cause harm to the epithelial cells.
LASIK surgery patients who have thin corneas or extremely high prescriptions may not be ideal candidates for the procedure, but they may be good candidates for LASEK, which stands for laser epithelial keratectomy. LASEK surgery, on the other hand, often causes more discomfort and requires a longer period of recuperation than LASIK.
What Should You Do to Get Ready for the LASEK Surgical Procedure?
The preparation for laser vision correction is, for the most part, the same regardless of whether the method is recommended for the procedure. When getting ready for LASEK surgery, make sure to follow these 4 steps:
1. Would the LASEK procedure be beneficial for your condition?
Your eye surgeon will first and foremost perform a comprehensive examination of your eye to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for laser vision correction and then discuss which technique is most appropriate for your specific set of circumstances.
2. A few days before the scheduled procedure, you should refrain from wearing contact lenses.
Second, it is quite likely that you will be instructed to refrain from wearing your contact lenses for a period of time prior to the scheduled date of your laser eye surgery. This is done to guarantee that the measurements of your eye that are required for the surgery are as precise as they possibly may be (contacts can change the shape of your cornea).
3. Be aware of what you should anticipate throughout the LASEK process.
Third, you need to be aware that you will remain awake throughout the process. During the procedure, you may be given valium or another anti-anxiety drug in order to help you relax and remain calm. Do not be concerned; your eye surgeon will administer numbing drops to your eyes in order to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Visit https://fight4ourhealth.org/what-is-the-consequence-of-using-expired-eye-drops/ to read about What Is the Consequence of Using Expired Eye Drops?
4. Have travel arrangements planned
You will not be able to drive yourself following the laser eye surgery, so it is imperative that you make prior arrangements for a ride home with a friend or family member.
How Long Does it Take to Recover from LASEK?
The length of time needed for recuperation is a significant factor to consider when choosing between LASEK and LASIK surgery. In the case of LASEK surgery, you will need to take a few days off of work to allow your eyes to recover, which normally takes approximately a week.
During the healing phase following your laser vision correction surgery, you will be given a regimen of medicated drops to assist keep you comfortable and support the healing process. This is standard practice for all laser vision correction surgeries.
All three procedures, LASIK, PRK, and LASEK, have high success rates and produce results that are comparable in terms of vision improvement. Following a comprehensive evaluation of your eyes, your ophthalmologist will discuss with you the various kinds of laser eye surgery that are available and help you select the one that is most suited to your individual preferences, as well as the specifics of your eyesight and your anatomy.
Conclusion
Personal Eyes’ mission is to provide information to everyone interested in learning how to better their eyesight. And if you are seriously considering laser eye surgery, you need first ensure that you are a suitable candidate.
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