LASEK Surgery
LASEK surgery (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) is a relatively new vision correction procedure that offers an exciting and safe alternative to the more popular LASIK surgery. LASEK may be the chosen procedure for those patients who, for one reason or another, do not qualify for LASIK surgery. For instance, patients may be disqualified for LASIK surgery if their corneas are too thin or too flat. However, the LASEK procedure does enjoy one distinct advantage over LASIK surgery: since LASEK does not involve the formation of a thick and permanent flap (the flap being the most common cause of post-LASIK complications), patients who undergo LASEK surgery are significantly less likely to develop trauma-related eye problems later on following their procedure. In addition, patients who undergo LASEK surgery are less likely to suffer from dry eyes, another common side effect of the LASIK procedure.
In many respects, the LASEK procedure resembles LASIK, the exception being that LASEK, unlike the LASIK, is performed only on the outermost layer of the cornea (the corneal epithelium). With LASEK, the eye is swabbed with a 20% alcohol solution to weaken the cells of the epithelium. Using a trephine (which contains extremely fine blade) the weakened epithelial layer is gently removed from the cornea. At this point, an excimer laser is used to ablate or vaporize the deeper layer of the cornea, thus reshaping the structure of the eye. The epithelial layer, which is among the most dynamic in the body, regenerates soon after the operation.
At approximately one minute of operating time per eye, LASEK surgery as a whole takes only 15 minutes to perform. After the procedure, both eyes are "bandaged" with a protective contact lens to be removed several days later by the operating ophthalmologist. LASEK studies all indicate that patients may continue to experience blurry vision up to a week after surgery.
Dr. Cohen and his staff at the Fifth Avenue Eye Center have performed thousands of LASEK and LASIK surgeries. You can contact us at info@nyceyedoc.com, or give us a call at (866) 731-3937 to set up an appointment.