Lasek Vs. Lasik: Pros and Cons

There are only two ways to laser the cornea to restore vison, either it is done on the surface with removing the epithelial cover (PRK) or that layer is preserved and covers the eye after the treatment (LASEK) but in fact the layer does not survive and essentially LASEK is PRK.  So to answer your question compare PRK to LASIK.  There are potential issues with LASIK and the flap, but modern all laser methods have reduced these risks.  PRK requires a longer, more painful healing process and many times the off label use of medications to control healing such as Mitomycin-C.

Most laser centers perform both procedures and choose the procedure that is best for an individual patient.  You should explore both options with your doctor.  Currently LASIK is much more frequently performed than PRK.

you are correct, the lasek procedure is noncutting so is 10x safer than lasik, both for initial treatments and for enhancements, the downside is the recovery takes a couple of days longer, not weeks longer that is PRK which is the surface procedure that LASEK has largely replaced

Hi, Both LASEK and LASIK have their pros and cons. LASIK is a safe surgery if done after the patient has been evaluated and ascertained that he is a right candidate as regards his corneal thickness, surface etc. Other than mild irritation, patients usually do not complain of any prolonged pain or redness. LASEK on the other hand is a surface procedure where one's eyes may remain painful and irritable for upto a week. Also the chances of regression are higher with LASEK especially for numbers higher than -5 to -6. On the other hand LASEK has the advantage of being a flapless surgery and better suited to thinner corneas.