LASEK Procedure: Who Should Consider Lasek Surgery?

I performed my last PRK in 1995. In my opinion, PRK is an archaic procedure. In PRK, the epithelium is removed, but it is sandpapered off with an amoilis brush. The problem with this is, on a microscopic level, you're crushing the epithelial cells, which then release cytokines and other inflammatory mediators that are the body's signal of cellular injury. This causes the inflammation cascade that causes the pain and possible scarring that can occur with PRK, which is what prevented... more

LASIK surgery is the most common elective surgery performed and helps one reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. With visual results showing 98% of people achieving 20/20 or better vision after the procedure (for individuals with mild to moderate amounts of nearsightedness with or without astigmatism) this is a procedure which one should consider. Why wait? The procedure has never been safer and more effective than it is now!

You are probably a good Lasik candidate if: You depend on glasses or contacts for good vision Your eyes are healthy Glasses or contacts are frustrating, inconvenient, uncomfortable, or impair your recreational and career interests. Put another way, nowadays with our variety of advanced procedures, including LASIK, PRK, implantable contact lenses, and refractive lens exchange, almost everyone is a candidate.

I generally recommend LASIK (due to a shorter recovery time) but PRK (or a similar procedure, LASEK) may be more suitable for patients with thinner corneas, basement membrane dystrophies, corneal scars or other corneal concerns. A complete eye exam with a surgeon who offers these procedures is the best way to determine if you are a suitable candidate.

Many patients believe that due to the severity or astigmatism, or other issues that they may not be a good candidate for LASIK. With modern technology, ultrathin flaps, and the newest laser technology, there are many patients who can be successfully treated that were not candidates previously. Some patients need other treatments such as PRK or in rare instances an ICL.  LASEK is a version of PRK and for some patients with thin corneas or slightly irregular corneas a surface... more

These terms can become alphabet soup if you are not careful. LASEK is, essentially, glorified PRK(photorefractive keratectomy), which involves the removal of the outer surface of the cornea(the epithelium) rather than lifting this outer layer up(LASIK). Both procedures are great and safe. Each has certain indciations that can make it a better choice, depending on the patients prescription and corneal thickness. In my opinion, one is not particularly safer or less safe than the other.....they more