How LASEK Eye Surgery Works for Your Better Vision

LASEK eye surgery is the difference of PRK for the correction of hyperopia or farsightedness, myopia or shortsightedness and astigmatism. The LASEK combines different procedures from LASIK as well as PRK. LASIK is among the popular laser surgery but LASEK or PRK is a suitable option for the ones who cannot undergo a LASIK surgery. Unlike other kinds of laser surgery, LASEK will work by reshaping your cornea through the excimer laser. This will enable light to enter into your eyes so that it focuses properly on your retina for improved vision without wearing contact lenses or eye glasses.

The major difference between LASIK, LASEK and PRK depends on how your eyes are ready for laser procedure:

• During LASIK, there will be a thin and circular flap formed on the surface of your eyes through a femtosecond or a microkeratome surgical tool. Your eye surgeon will be folding back hinged flap for accessing your stroma and then reshaping corneal tissue with the help of excimer laser.
• After this, the flap will be returned back to the actual position that acts like natural bandage by making your eyes comfortable at the time of healing. The flap will then adhere securely without any stitches and the healing takes place quickly.
• Duringa PRK, your eye specialist will be removing thin and outer layer of your cornea or epithelium. This is a skin layer that covers your cornea with alcohol solution, a dull surgical instrument or a “buffing” device. The corneal stroma will be reshaped through the excimer laser and the epithelial layer will be getting back in five days at the most.
• TheLASEK method consists of PRK and LASIK. In case of PRK, your corneal epithelium gets separated from stromal layer. Rather than removing the tissue completely like in PRK, your surgeon will then push the flap of your epithelium at one end of your cornea where it gets attached with the eyes.

Once the laser procedure is done, your epithelial tissue will then be repositioned on the eyes surface for covering lasered stroma. Then a bandage contact lens will be placed on your eyes to keep the epithelium in proper place at the time of healing.

Another kind of laser surgery is known as e-LASIK or epi-LASIK which is quite similar to LASEK eye surgery in Harley Street. During epi-LASEK, your eye surgeon uses plastic blade for separating epithelial sheet from the eyes. This can prevent the chances of a reaction from the alcohol which might kill epithelial cells.

All LASIK, LASEK and PRK have higher chances of success and similar results for your improved vision. Your eyesight seems to get more blurred during the first week in case of LASEK than with PRK and LASIK.

Once a thorough examination of your eyes is done, the surgeon will give advice on the right kind of laser surgery to meet your exact requirement.

What you can expect from LASEK surgey

Before the procedure – The eye surgeon conducts a thorough examination and health checkup of your eyes to know if you are the right candidate for LASEK surgery. If you wear lenses, your doctor will instruct not to wear them for a certain time period before taking necessary dimensions for your laser surgery. This is because contacts may change natural shape of cornea.

You will not be able to drive home alone after the surgery and so, you should ask someone to accompany you on that day. You should also take at least one week off from your work so that your eyes heal properly and your vision improves gradually.

During the treatment – You will be given anesthetic drops on the eyes and the surgeon forms circular cut into your corneal epithelium through a blade. The trephine will then leave arc-shaped area of your circle uncut so that epithelial flap is being attached with your eyes. A diluted solution of alcohol will be given over the eyes for almost 30 seconds that loosens edges of your epithelium. This allows eye surgeon to push loosened epithelium flap gently to its side.

The excimer laser will be positioned over the eyes for reshaping corneal stroma and improving your vision. After laser treatment is done, your epithelial flap will be repositioned on the eyes.

A special contact lens will be placed on the eyes that work in the form of a protective bandage.

LASEK eye surgery in London can be done through a walk-in, walk-out basis, and requires nearly 15 minutes for each eye. You will remain awake during the treatment and won’t feel any pain, but your surgeon might give a mild sedative to make you get relaxed.

After the surgery – You will return back home after a certain time of taking rest following the surgery. Most people suffer from mild to moderate discomfort during the first few days after a LASEK.

You should keep “bandage” contact lens on your eyes for around four days though the surface epithelial cells will heal and regenerate. Your eye doctor will give antibiotics and topical steroids for three weeks to cope up with the healing and lessen the risks of infection.

Risks and complications with LASEK

Both LASEK and PRK complications are quite similar to that of LASIK. Side effects might include vision disturbances such as:

• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision, glare and halos
• Eye irritation and infection
• Significant undercorrection, overcorrection or regression that requires further surgery or wearing lenses or glasses for doing certain or all the activities

Thus, LASEK surgery provides an effective option to LASIK but is done only if you are not the suitable candidate for LASIK surgery, with respect to minimal discomfort and quick recovery with LASIK. It is suggested that you consult with an experienced eye doctor at the UK best place for Lasek eye surgery in London who will tell if LASEK is the right kind of vision correction surgery for your needs.