For patients who want to say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses, there are effective treatment options available. Laser surgery is one of the most effective treatments in this regard. It’s worth noting that, with the advancement of technology, laser surgeries have become much more diverse, offering various options. One of the prominent laser treatments in this diversity is LASEK. So, what is LASEK? What advantages does it provide, and how is it applied? Let’s take a closer look.

What is LASEK?

LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) is a surface laser treatment that uses an excimer laser to create surface ablations on the cornea without creating a flap.

Unlike common laser treatments like LASIK, no flap is created in this method. Instead, only the laser is used to make the necessary adjustments to the corneal surface, thereby improving the patient’s vision.

This treatment is used to correct common refractive errors such as myopia, astigmatism, and hyperopia.

How is LASEK Surgery Done? How Does the Process Work?

As mentioned, only the laser is used in the procedure, but there is also a setup involved in the surgical process.

Similar to the PRK procedure, in LASEK, the first step is to treat the epithelial tissue on the surface of the eye. A diluted alcohol solution is applied to loosen the tissue. The epithelial layer is then removed.

Afterward, an excimer laser is used to reshape the corneal surface, just as in LASIK. The difference here from PRK is that the epithelial tissue is not discarded but is folded back and repositioned after the laser treatment. This approach helps to speed up the healing process, leading to a quicker recovery for the patient.

Pre-Operative Preparations Are Similar to All Laser Procedures

Like other laser treatments, LASEK has similar pre-operative preparation steps. The process before the surgery can be summarized as follows:

Eye Examination: The patient’s overall eye health is assessed to ensure suitability for the procedure.
Corneal Thickness Measurement: The thickness of the cornea is evaluated to determine if the patient is eligible for LASEK.
Corneal Topography: The surface of the cornea is mapped to ensure proper alignment for the laser treatment.
Check for Other Eye Damage: Any other potential issues with the eye are checked to avoid complications during the procedure.
Once these assessments are complete, if the patient is deemed suitable for LASEK, the laser settings will be customized according to their eye prescription. Overall, the preparation steps for PRK, LASIK, and LASEK are quite similar.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of LASEK Treatment?

Advantages 

There are some prominent advantages that make LASEK preferable over other laser treatments. We can list them as LASEK advantages.

• It is a laser treatment that can be preferred for patients with thin corneas. Compared to LASIK, it can be applied to thinner corneas because no incision is made.
• The absence of incisions and the lack of flap creation help prevent corneal infections. Potential complications are avoided.
• After the surgery, there is no risk of issues such as flap displacement.
• It is more commonly preferred, especially in patients involved in contact sports, as the risk of eye trauma is lower.

Disadvantages

Just as the treatment has positive aspects, there are also points where it is more disadvantageous compared to other treatments. Let’s list them.

• Pain may last for a few days. A pain-free period does not begin immediately after the surgery.
• You may also experience discomfort for a period of time after the surgery.
• The recovery time may be longer compared to LASIK. Achieving clear vision may take a bit more time.
• Blurry vision may occur for a certain period of time. However, this is considered a temporary condition.

Is there a risk of dry eyes after LASEK?

Since not much intervention is done on the cornea and no flap is created, the risk of dry eyes after LASEK is lower. However, it is important to remember that dry eyes are not solely related to the procedure performed on the cornea.

Preparing the eye surface and tear ducts to optimal levels before the surgery helps minimize the risk of dry eyes. Solutions like Laser PrimeCare can also be used to prepare the eye surface. Similar to other methods, the main goal of Laser PrimeCare is to optimize the eye surface to ensure the best possible preparation. You can get more detailed information right here.

With all this information, we have explained what LASEK is. Remember, when deciding on laser treatment, your doctor’s guidance is crucial. First and foremost, you should have a consultation with an expert doctor to find out which laser treatment will be best for you.