LASEK (not to be confused with LASIK) is a popular laser eye surgery procedure. It corrects nearsightedness (up to a maximum of -6 dpt), farsightedness (up to +3 dpt), and astigmatism (up to -3 dpt). Laser eye surgery specialists will determine whether you are a suitable candidate for LASEK treatment during a preliminary examination.
Here you’ll find more information about the LASEK procedure and laser eye surgery specialists.
What is LASEK?
The LASEK method is an advancement of PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and is one of the earliest laser eye surgery methods. In both methods, doctors use a laser to remove the corneal layer. What sets it apart is that this is done without cutting a corneal flap.
A flap is a circular, wafer-thin layer of the outer cornea @ RFBSIP /AdobeStock
The laser procedure corrects the patient’s vision problem by altering the refractive power of the central corneal surface. With the LASEK method, the outermost layer of the cornea (epithelium) is also preserved. This is not the case with the PRK method.
Surgical Procedure for LASEK Treatment
The procedure for LASEK surgery is similar to that of the LASIK method. The only difference is that LASEK surgery does not require an incision into the deeper layers of the cornea. Doctors simply and carefully peel back the surface layer (epithelium). They then fold this layer to the side, perform the excimer laser treatment, and fold the epithelial flap back into place.
The healing process for LASEK is similar to that of PRK, as a superficial corneal wound forms in both cases.
The epithelium completely regenerates within six weeks. Modern LASEK may alleviate some postoperative discomfort, but it does not provide the “complete” comfort of LASIK.
The individual surgical steps of LASEK are:
- Using a circular blade (microtrephine), doctors make a circular incision in the outermost layer of the cornea (the corneal epithelium).
- Using an alcohol solution, doctors detach the corneal epithelium from its underlying layer.
- Using a small spatula, the doctor pushes the epithelium back.
- The doctor then uses laser treatment to alter the surface curvature of the cornea (depending on the severity of the refractive error).
- After the laser treatment, the doctor pushes the epithelium back into place.
LASEK Features at a Glance
The distinctive features of the LASEK method are:
- Good predictability of the target refraction
- The correction is performed without making an incision in the corneal surface
- Less dependent on corneal thickness
- Slower recovery than with LASIK (4 to 6 weeks; fluctuations in vision are possible)
- Significant wound pain is possible in the first few days after treatment (but can be managed with medication)
- Not reversible (the effect cannot be reversed)
- Follow-up correction is possible (same procedure as for the initial surgery)
- Very safe procedure, as there are no complications associated with corneal incisions
- Also suitable for thinner corneas, as no incision is made
LASK surgeries are performed by specialized eye laser centers or selected eye laser specialists.
About the medical author
Prof. Dr. med. Gerd U. Auffarth
Medical writer
