Both Lasik and Lasek
are common options for laser eye surgery yet many don’t know the
difference between the two. Although both procedures are extremely
safe, Lasek is
however considered to be the safer procedure. Due to Lasik being a
procedure that involves creating a flap in the cornea, Lasik is able
to eliminate the risks involved in the creation and aftercare of the
flap. Below is a list of some differences of Lasik
vs Lasek.
Lasik vs Lasek
Complications: although the risks associated with laser vision correction are low, there are more risks with Lasik than LASEK as the vast majority of complications are associated with the creation and healing of the flap. Due to there being no flap with LASEK, any complications are easily treatable by your surgeon.
Corneal thickness: Corneal thickness is an important factor in choosing which surgery you are a candidate for. Cutting a flap results in the need for a thicker cornea, thus thinner corneal patients will not be eligible for Lasik. LASEK can be performed on thinner corneas, due to the lack of the corneal flap.
Dry eyes: One of the main complaints with Lasik is dry eyes. This is due to the cut in the stroma part of the cornea. When a cut is made to the cornea, corneal nerves are cut and never grow back - the corneal nerves play a role in the feedback mechanism that keeps your eyes lubricated. Because of this it results in the possibility of being left with chronic dry eyes. There is no cut to the cornea with LASEK therefore Lasek does not create dry eyes.
Larger Pupils: Lasek is able to be performed on patients with larger pupils because there is no flap being cut. If you have been told you are not a candidate for Lasik because of large pupils, you may still be a candidate for other eye correction surgeries such as Lasek.
Higher prescriptions: By not cutting a flap, 100-150 microns of cornea tissue is being saved with Lasek –which is enough to safely treat another 10 diopters of prescription. Lasek is able to treat higher degrees of myopia than Lasik laser eye surgery.
Contact sports/Trauma/Active lifestyle: Lasek is ideally suited for patients whose lifestyle predisposes them to possible trauma; police, firefighters, members of the armed forces or athletes. Additionally, if you are involved with contact sports you will be advised to have Lasek. When a flap is made in the cornea it never 100% heals and although rare, it can become dislodged with trauma.
Recovery: Following Lasik, most people experience only very mild discomfort (e.g. dryness, irritable, stinging) and most people can return to work and drive 24-48 hours following surgery. Discomfort level for Lasek is similar to Lasik. Following the Lasek surgery however, it is normally advised to have approximately 4-5 days off work.
Lasik vs Lasek
Complications: although the risks associated with laser vision correction are low, there are more risks with Lasik than LASEK as the vast majority of complications are associated with the creation and healing of the flap. Due to there being no flap with LASEK, any complications are easily treatable by your surgeon.
Corneal thickness: Corneal thickness is an important factor in choosing which surgery you are a candidate for. Cutting a flap results in the need for a thicker cornea, thus thinner corneal patients will not be eligible for Lasik. LASEK can be performed on thinner corneas, due to the lack of the corneal flap.
Dry eyes: One of the main complaints with Lasik is dry eyes. This is due to the cut in the stroma part of the cornea. When a cut is made to the cornea, corneal nerves are cut and never grow back - the corneal nerves play a role in the feedback mechanism that keeps your eyes lubricated. Because of this it results in the possibility of being left with chronic dry eyes. There is no cut to the cornea with LASEK therefore Lasek does not create dry eyes.
Larger Pupils: Lasek is able to be performed on patients with larger pupils because there is no flap being cut. If you have been told you are not a candidate for Lasik because of large pupils, you may still be a candidate for other eye correction surgeries such as Lasek.
Higher prescriptions: By not cutting a flap, 100-150 microns of cornea tissue is being saved with Lasek –which is enough to safely treat another 10 diopters of prescription. Lasek is able to treat higher degrees of myopia than Lasik laser eye surgery.
Contact sports/Trauma/Active lifestyle: Lasek is ideally suited for patients whose lifestyle predisposes them to possible trauma; police, firefighters, members of the armed forces or athletes. Additionally, if you are involved with contact sports you will be advised to have Lasek. When a flap is made in the cornea it never 100% heals and although rare, it can become dislodged with trauma.
Recovery: Following Lasik, most people experience only very mild discomfort (e.g. dryness, irritable, stinging) and most people can return to work and drive 24-48 hours following surgery. Discomfort level for Lasek is similar to Lasik. Following the Lasek surgery however, it is normally advised to have approximately 4-5 days off work.
I really thank you for the valuable info on this great subject and look forward to more great posts. Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty article with me. I am appreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great article. Good luck to the author! All the best! what to do after laser eye surgery
ReplyDelete