Can a Doctor Tell if I Have Had LASEK Treatment

On routine eye examinations, doctors can be fooled as your eye will appear normal on biomicroscopic testing. However, if the eye doctor performs more thorough testing such as corneal topography or corneal thickness measurements, then the doctor should be able to ascertain that you have had LASEK, PRK or LASIK. As a patient, it is your obligation to detail disclose that you have had prior refractive surgery as this can impact the intraocular pressure measurement, and... more

After surface ablation procedures such as LASEK & PRK the cornea typically appears perfectly normal once the initial healing phase ends. Therefore, especially years after surgery as in your case, it is often difficult for a doctor to tell that any surgery has been done (even when using our high magnification slit lamps). Of course, you should always give an accurate medical and surgical history when seeing a new physician as withholding information could adversely impact your care. more

LASEK is a form of Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) just like Photorefractive Keratoplasty (PRK). The process involves removing the top surface layer of the cornea, the epithelium, reshaping the cornea, and then replacing the epithelium. A bandage contact lens is then placed over the cornea and it then typically takes three to four days to allow the eye to heal. At one time, some ophthalmologist thought that superior results were achieved by replacing the epithelium. ... more