In a LASEK procedure, a thin flap is cut in the eye’s surface using diluted alcohol and then it is lifted. In order to correct the vision, the laser energy shapes the cornea underneath and the flap is put back into place.
Who are the ideal candidates for the LASEK?
- Those who can’t use Microkeratome required for LASIK procedure due to small eyes
- Those who aren’t appropriate for LASIK procedure due to thin cornea compared to the degree of myopia
- Those with severe cases of corneal revascularization due to long-term usage of contact lenses
- Those who have anisometropia due to severe myopia in one eye
- Those who wish to remove corneal opacity in the surface layer of the cornea at the same time
- Those with sensitive eyes because of dry eye syndrome and night glare or haze
- - Operation: 15min
- - Recovery: 30min
- - Cost: KRW 1.40million~
LASEK Surgical Procedures
Preoperative exam ▶ Result analysis Consulation ▶ Topical anesthesia Surgery ▶ Check surgical result Go home
- 1. Cover the area with a circular blade equal to the thickness of epithelial cells to be separated.
- 2. Instill 20% alcohol solution prior to separation of epithelial cells.
- 3. Separate Corneal epithelial cells using instrument.
- 4. Probe corneal stroma with the latest eximer laser.
- 5. Treat with mitomycin – a special drug to prevent corneal opacity which may occur after surgery.
- 6. Apply cooling system for pain relief.
- 7. Cover the lesion with a therapeutic contact lens for quick fix of the corneal epithelium.
- 8. Treat the lesion with PRP extracted from the patient’s own blood, and finish up the surgery.
(* The detailed procedure may vary depending on the surgical treatment.)
Types of LASEK Procedures
1) M-LASEK
It is a surgical procedure in combination with a drug therapy using MITOMYCIN that inhibits cell proliferation and tissue regeneration in order to minimize corneal opacity and poor vision which may occur during current LASEK procedure for patients with severe myopia. PRP(Platelet Rich Plasma) which accelerates epithelial cell regeneration after surgery can be used with MITOMYCIN in M-LASEK procedure for fast recovery, pain relief and to reduce dryness of eyes.
* PRP treatment for LASEK uses blood platelet taken from a patient’s own blood to avoid corneal nerve damage and dry eyes by removing inflammation and promoting fast recovery of damaged tissue and regeneration of stripped corneal epithelial cells.
2) Clean LASEK
It removes corneal epithelium with highly advanced precision excimer laser rather than a manual removal done by a practitioner which was considered as unwritten law of current LASEK surgical procedures (LASEK, Painless LASEK, M-LASEK). Clean LASEK is 100% all laser surgical procedure.
Comparison of LASIK & LASEK
Which surgical treatment is better if a patient has dry eyes and works with a computer for a long time?
LASEK is a better choice for a patient with dry eyes than LASIK. Especially the recently developed painless LASEK with autologous serum made from a patient’s own blood is extremely effective for the eye recovery. Blood Serum is often used for expensive high-performance cosmetics. Painless LASEK treatment with autologous serum accelerates patients’ recovery time after surgery and alleviate eye fatigue, thus it is considered as the most suitable treatment for patients who are subjected for detailed work like doctors and designers or for office workers with dry eyes who have to use computers for a long time.
| LASIK | LASEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Target Patients | - All myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism (up to -10D) - If fast recovery is neede - Those with keloids |
- Less than 8D of myopia and astigmatism - Those with thin cornea compared to the degree of refractive abnormality - Those who can’t use microkeratome due to very small eyes |
| Pain | - No pain with topical anesthesia during surgery - Almost no pain after surgery |
- No pain with topical anesthesia during surgery - Discomfort and pain is expected until the epithelial flaps is stabilized for 2~3 days after surgery |
| Recovery of Visual Acuity | - 70~80% recovery of target level on the next day with short surgical time |
- Gradual recovery from 3~4 days after surgery |
| Healing Time | - Approx. 1~3 months | - Approx. 2~4 months |
| Complications | - Almost no corneal opacity - Dryness - Over-correction, under-correction - Recurrence of myopia - Night glare or halo, infection |
- Some patients may have the possibility of a corneal opacity - Dryness - Over-correction, under-correction - Recurrence of myopia - Night glare or halo, infection |
| Advantages | - Fast recovery and short observation period - able to operate severe myopia - almost no pain - little or no haze |
- Able to operate severe myopia with thin cornea - Able to operate those with very small eyes - Less chance of corneal opacity and pain after surgery than Eximer(PRK) surgery - Easy to manage after surgery because it is more resilient to external shocks |
| Discharges | - Vulnerable to external shocks - May cause dryness |
- Some pain after surgery more than LASIK - Slower recovery after surgery than LASIK |
Post Management of LASEK Surgery
- 1. Use prescribed eye drops from the day of surgery. Eye drops must be kept clean to prevent contamination. Avoid direct contact with eyes when instilling eye drops.
- 2. Rubbing or blinking eyes firmly on the day of surgery may cause the displacement of corneal flaps or wrinkles on it which can result in serious problems on rehabilitation of visual acuity.
- 3. Avoid rubbing eyes that had undergone surgery or exposure to water on them for at least 1 week. It is recommended to wear an eye patch during sleep, wipe your face with a wet towel instead of washing, and place your head back to wash hair for 1 week after the surgery.
- 4. Do not read, watch TV, drive or work on a computer for too long on the 1st week after the surgery. Resting eyes will help you recover faster.
- 5. It is advisable to avoid swimming and any excessive exercises like basketball and soccer for a month after the surgery.
- 6. Wearing makeup is possible from 3 days after the surgery, eyeshadow from 2 weeks after, and mascara from 3 weeks after. Hair dye or perm is possible from 1 month after the surgery.
- 7. Avoid strong light which is irritating to the eyes, and wear sunglasses if possible to avoid ultraviolet rays.
KMH Recommended
Medical Checkup Schedule for LASEK Surgery
[Preoperative exams ▶ the day of surgery ▶ 3 days after ▶ 1 week after ▶ 2 weeks after ▶ 3~6 months after]
- Preoperative exams and surgery can be proceeded on the same day.
- LASEK has more postoperative checkups compared to LASIK, thus patients should have longer period of stay or consult with a surgeon before the surgery.
