LASEK - Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy

LASEK - Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (or Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) and Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)  are laser eye surgery procedures intended to correct a person's vision, reducing dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The first PRK procedure was performed in 1987 by Dr. Theo Seiler, then at the Free University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany. The first LASEK procedure was performed at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1996 by ophthalmologist, refractive surgeon, Dimitri Azar. The procedure was later popularized by Camellin, who coined the term LASEK for laser epithelial keratomileusis. LASEK and PRK permanently change the shape of the anterior central cornea using an excimer laser to ablate (remove by vaporization) a small amount of tissue from the corneal stroma at the front of the eye, just under the corneal epithelium. The outer layer of the cornea is removed prior to the ablation. A computer system tracks the patient's eye position 60 to 4,000 times per second, depending on the brand of laser used, redirecting laser pulses for precise placement. Most modern lasers will automatically center on the patient's visual axis and will pause if the eye moves out of range and then resume ablating at that point after the patient's eye is re-centered.

The outer layer of the cornea, or epithelium, is a soft, rapidly regrowing layer in contact with the tear film that can completely replace itself from limbal stem cells within a few days with no loss of clarity. The deeper layers of the cornea, as opposed to the outer epithelium, are laid down early in life and have very limited regenerative capacity. The deeper layers, if reshaped by a laser or cut by a microtome, will remain that way permanently with only limited healing or remodelling. With PRK, the corneal epithelium is removed and discarded, allowing the cells to regenerate after the surgery. The procedure is distinct from LASIK (Laser-Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis), a form of laser eye surgery where a permanent flap is created in the deeper layers of the cornea.

[source : wikipedia]

The LASEK Procedure

Confused about LASEK vs. LASIK all procedures use an excimer laser to resculpt the cornea. Here's the skinny on LASEK:

1) You have a complete eye exam with diagnostic technology that gathers information about your vision and eye geography.
2) Nurses and an ophthalmologist apply a sterile drape to protect your eyes.
3) You get numbed with a sedative, and your eyes get numbed with eye drops.
4) A special instrument loosens the epithelium around the surgery area.
5) The epithelium is pushed to the side.
6) You look at a target light while a laser reshapes your cornea without disturbing the tissue.
7) A minute or two later, the laser eye surgeon smoothes the epithelium back into place and applies a contact lens bandage.

In LASIK, the ophthalmologist creates a hinged flap in the cornea. After the procedure, your eyes are examined with a slit lamp microscope, since there is an incision in your eye.

Does LASEK seem less complicated than LASIK now? They both carry risks and benefits. The one thing that won't cause you confusion: being able to read the paper without glasses.