Individuals with vision problems usually try to eliminate their vision problems by using glasses. However, although this is not a permanent form of treatment, they have to live with glasses for years. The most common form of treatment used for individuals who want to get rid of this condition is laser therapy. You can find detailed information about LASEK / LASIK Eye Surgery, which is a form of treatment we offer to our patients as Şafak International, below.
LASEK Eye Surgery
LASEK eye surgery can correct a type of PRK, myopia (sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. LASEK is a hybrid surgery that combines LASIK and PRK features. Although results are comparable to LASIK, PRK and LASEK may be preferable options for individuals who are not LASIK candidates.
LASIK is the most common laser eye surgery. LASEK uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to improve vision without the use of glasses or contact lenses. This improves the light to focus on the retina. Preparing the eye for Eye Laser surgery is what makes LASIK, PRK, and LASEK procedures different.
LASIK
LASIK surgery creates a thin, circular “wing” on the surface of the eye using a microkeratome or femtosecond laser surgical instrument. The surgeon can access the stroma by folding back the hinged flap and reshaping the corneal tissue with an excimer laser. The flap is tightly adhered without stitches and the incision heals quickly. To keep the eye as pleasant as possible, the flap is returned to its previous position and acts as a bandage.
PRK
Instead of creating a corneal flap as in LASIK, an alcohol solution, a “polishing” device, or a blunt surgical instrument is used to remove the epithelium of the cornea during PRK (the layer of skin that covers the cornea). To put it to good use, the corneal stroma is then reshaped using an excimer laser. After five days, the new epithelial layer is renewed.
LASEK
LASEK can be used for both LASIK and PRK procedures. The epithelium of the cornea is separated from the surrounding tissue for the same reasons as in PRK. However, unlike PRK, the LASEK surgeon removes a thin flap of epithelial tissue from one side of the cornea, leaving the other side intact and attached to the eye (like the thicker corneal tissue flap created during LASIK surgery).
Once the laser treatment is finished, a bandage contact lens is placed over the eye to protect the surface while the epithelium heals. Epi-LASIK, commonly known as e-LASIK, is a laser eye surgery similar to LASEK. Unlike LASEK, in this treatment the epithelium is not softened with alcohol, but instead a blunt plastic blade is used.
As a result, the probability of an alcohol-induced response resulting in death of epithelial cells is completely reduced. The success rates and visual results of LASIK, PRK and LASEK are very similar. LASEK vision is typically blurred in the first week than LASIK and PRK. However, this is not always a bad thing.
Your eye surgeon will prescribe the best type of laser eye surgery for your specific needs and requirements, after a complete eye exam.
LASEK ve LASIK
In the epithelial layer of the eye, the corneal flap made with LASIK surgery is thicker than the hinged flap (which includes both epithelial and deep stromal tissues) created with LASEK surgery. If you can’t get LASIK because you have a naturally thin cornea, it’s a must.
The LASEK technique can help prevent complications associated with a corneal flap. In addition, the excimer laser reduces the risk of removing too much cornea and causing structural damage to the eye. Dry eye is less common after LASEK eye surgery because there is no deeper flap.
You may be a better candidate for LASEK if you have advanced myopia (needing more central corneal tissue to correct the refractive error), or if your job or hobbies put your eyes at risk of injury or dislocation of the corneal flap created by LASIK surgery. On the other hand, LASEK surgery is more painful than LASIK surgery and requires more time to heal.
LASEK ve PRK
LASEK and PRK are very similar. As with LASIK, both methods remove epithelium rather than create a giant corneal flap to access deeper corneal tissues. Unlike PRK, LASEK protects and then repairs the epithelial layer, while PRK destroys it.
A new epithelial layer is formed a few days after the operation. LASEK was expected to heal faster than PRK because it preserves the epithelium. In practice, however, many surgeons have noticed that when a new epithelial layer is formed, the restored epithelial layer in LASEK takes longer to heal than in PRK. PRK is the most commonly used “surface ablation” procedure (PRK, LASEK and epi-LASIK).
LASEK Eye Surgery Processes
Before the procedure, you must first go through a complete eye examination and general health check to decide if you are a good candidate for LASEK eye surgery. Many optometrists will recommend LASEK to patients who are not candidates for LASIK surgery.
Because contact lenses can affect the corneal contour, it is normal for ophthalmologists to advise patients to avoid wearing lenses prior to laser eye surgery. During the procedure, you will need to take time off from work (usually about a week) until your eyes heal and your eyesight improves.
Anesthetic drops are used at first to dull your eyes. Your doctor will use a small blade to cut the corneal epithelium into a circular shape (trephine). After trephination, Tracey’s “flap” of eyelid epithelial tissue is left in place and the eyelid is allowed to function normally.
The surgeon uses a diluted alcohol solution on the eye for about 30 seconds to loosen the epithelial margins before removing the loose epithelial flap. The excimer laser is placed over the eye to correct your vision. After the laser treatment is finished, the epithelial flap is repositioned. You will then be given a contact lens with a protective bandage to cover your eye.
LASEK eye surgery takes about 15 minutes for each eye. Your surgeon may give you a mild sedative to help you relax throughout the procedure, but you should not feel any pain. Postoperative. After a few days of rest, you can resume your routine.
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort in the days following LASEK. As your eye’s surface epithelial cells begin to heal and repair, you will need to wear “bandage” contact lenses for four days.
Your eye specialist will also prescribe topical steroids and antibiotics for at least three weeks to aid healing and limit the risk of infection. Recovery of vision after LASEK (and epi-LASIK) and PRK is often slower than recovery after LASIK.
In contrast to the 24-hour turnaround time for standard LASIK treatment, early vision improvement with LASEK can take up to a week and full results can take several weeks to months. If you have LASIK, you will get the same results as LASEK or PRK.
Almost everyone who has laser eye surgery has 20/20 or better vision after treatment. You may still need glasses or contact lenses, but the prescription will be significantly lower. LASIK and PRK are not the only alternatives to correcting presbyopia, and LASEK is not a permanent solution. If you are a presbyopia surgery candidate, your ophthalmologist will advise you.