| |
LASEK (Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial
Keratectomy) as it is called has been around for several years and has
become more popular in the United States recently. It is basically a
version of PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) which I have been doing since
1994. I have done LASEK with great results. In fact, I believe
that I am one of the first refractive surgeons to do this procedure in the
Palm Beaches. It has several advantages over LASIK in that you can
treat thinner cornea. The corneal nerve regeneration is quicker.
There are NO corneal flap complications that we all hear so much about.
On the down side is the fact that you need to be on drops for a longer
time, vision stays blurry for about one to two weeks. A bandage
contact lens is used and pain sometimes is a factor. There is also a
higher amount of haze in some patients, but this usually does not affect
vision and often goes away in the majority of those who may get any haze.
The procedure basically is like PRK, but you spare the epithelium and
remove it as a sheet after cutting it with a shallow trephine ring and 20%
alcohol to help loosen this layer. This allows you to do the
treatment directly on the cornea and replace the epithelium and place a
bandage contact lens for 4 days. Drops are often needed for at least
a month unlike LASIK which is usually about 4-5 days. The
advancement of newer lasers with smoother profiles and scanning lasers
with trackers has made this a great and safe option for laser vision
correction in many people. In fact some surgeons offer LASEK as the
only
procedure. I currently offer both procedures, but will do LASEK on a
patient with thinner corneas or who elects to have this "new"
procedure if they are a candidate.
David B. Cano,M.D.
|
