LASEK (Laser-Assisted-Epithelial-Keratomileusis) eye surgery is an alternative laser refractive procedure to correct short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism.
Laser is used in the completely insensitive layers under the surface of the cornea to correct vision. In order to do so, these layers must be accessed. In the traditional LASIK procedure, a mechanical tool called microkeratome is used to cut a protective flap in the cornea to get to the insensitive layers. The advantage of the traditional LASIK intervention is that not only the surgery, but the postoperative stage is also free of any severe discomfort or pain. Vision stabilizes fast, so returning to work is feasible within 1 or 2 days. LASIK surgery uses a cool beam of light from the excimer laser to gently reshape the front surface (cornea) of your eye. The entire LASIK eye treatment takes about 10 minutes and, unlike other laser correction techniques, LASIK eye surgery patients experience less discomfort after the procedure. Both eyes can be treated by LASIK simultaneously.
A number of eye conditions can be treated with the help of LASIK surgery, including:
Myopia – short sightedness, when you find it difficult to see things at a distance Hyperopia – long sightedness, when you find it difficult to see things up close Astigmatism – a curving of the cornea that can make it difficult for sufferers to focus.
Common questions about LASEK eye surgery
Q. Will I be suitable for LASEK eye surgery?
A. To ensure the best possible results, we are able to treat most people over 18 years of age who have had a stable prescription for 12 months. Prior to LASEK eye surgery being undertaken, you will attend a laser eye consultation with an Optical Express specialist refractive optometrist who will determine your suitability for LASEK eye surgery based on your personal prescription, healing profile and expectations.
A. To ensure the best possible results, we are able to treat most people over 18 years of age who have had a stable prescription for 12 months. Prior to LASEK eye surgery being undertaken, you will attend a laser eye consultation with an Optical Express specialist refractive optometrist who will determine your suitability for LASEK eye surgery based on your personal prescription, healing profile and expectations.
Q. Can I have both eyes treated at the same time with LASEK eye surgery?
A. With LASEK eye surgery, both eyes can be treated at the same time.
A. With LASEK eye surgery, both eyes can be treated at the same time.
Q. Will my eyes be painful during or after LASEK eye surgery?
A. We use anaesthetic eye drops that completely numb your eye so you remain comfortable throughout the LASEK laser eye surgery. With LASEK eye surgery you will feel some mild sensations and discomfort after the treatment, normally in the first 28- 48 hours.
A. We use anaesthetic eye drops that completely numb your eye so you remain comfortable throughout the LASEK laser eye surgery. With LASEK eye surgery you will feel some mild sensations and discomfort after the treatment, normally in the first 28- 48 hours.
The difference between LASEK and LASIK
Statistically, 85 per cent of all laser eye surgery treatments carried out in the USA and Europe are LASIK, rather than LASEK. That’s because LASIK has a more convenient, faster recovery time.
However, a certain number of patients may have thin corneas or may be involved in certain contact sports – in these cases, LASEK eye surgery is more appropriate.
Visual outcomes following LASEK surgery are similar to those produced by LASIK., our specialist refractive optometrists and ophthalmic surgeons will advise you at every stage of the LASEK process.
Who is suitable for LASIK surgery?
If you suffer from any of these eye conditions, LASIK eye surgery could be a good option for you. However, everyone’s eyes are completely unique and this means it’s important that you have an individual assessment before deciding on LASIK surgery.
If you’re under 18, you’ll have to wait until after your 18th birthday to book LASIK surgery. Typically, the people most suitable for laser eye surgery have had a stable prescription for 12 months, but a Laser Trained Optometrist will be able to make a decision based on the health of your eyes.
Diagnosis and tests prior to LASIK treatments
At your consultation, a laser trained optometrist will spend some time testing your eyes to make a diagnosis and determine your suitability for LASIK surgery. These include:
Determining the current strength of your glasses Reading the way light passes through your eyes Measuring eye pressure Measuring infractions in your eyes
What happens after LASIK surgery?
LASIK eye surgery patients often see a significant improvement in vision within a few hours of the procedure, and most patients are able to return to work after 48 hours.
Following LASIK eye treatment, your eyes may feel light sensitive, gritty and watery. Some patients may feel slight irritation for a few hours, but most are quite comfortable after a rest. We recommend that you bring sunglasses with you to your LASIK eye surgery or purchase them on the day from our extensive range. You will also be given light transparent eye shields to take home and wear while sleeping for five nights after your LASIK surgery to provide protection.
Visual settling time is faster with LASIK than other laser eye surgery procedures. Occasionally however, some patients are not deemed suitable for LASIK and LASEK may be recommended.
Intra LASIK-the safe and comfortable procedure
Its safety comes from a technological novelty not used in the traditional LASIK procedure, which is that the protective flap is not cut by human hand or a mechanical tool, but computer-controlled special femtosecond laser equipment. The cutting of the protective flap is planned by a computer and performed with the amazing accuracy of the laser, with a precision of one thousandth of a millimetre.
The computer plans the ideal protective flap for every patient individually, and a special laser is used to create this ideal flap, which fits perfectly when folded back and is secured extremely fast and permanently.
AdvantagesofIntraLASIK: