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Refractive Surgery: Not All Flaps Are the Same
You really don't want to know what the acronym LASIK stands for. It is an outrageous mouthful. Its little brother LASEK is not much better. Other than an inarticulate vocabulary, there are significant differences between these two popular laser refractive surgical procedures.
Both LASIK and LASEK create a tissue flap that is elevated before laser energy is applied to the clear cornea. LASIK creates a thin slice of deeper corneal stroma. Think about an ordinary hamburger bun. Most of the time the bun is split 90% across, leaving one portion of the top of the bun hinged to the lower half. The LASIK flap is just like that. As previously discussed in this blog, the LASIK flap never heals. The LASIK flap is vulnerable to trauma, dislodgment, even separation from the cornea.
This is where LASEK differs from LASIK.
LASEK achieves similar vision correction without creating that corneal stromal flap. Instead, the LASEK flap is limited to the superficial corneal epithelial cells. Once the laser is applied the epithelial 'carpet' is repositioned and the cells immediately begin to heal, firmly reattaching themselves to the cornea. In 5 days or so an entire new population of cells will replace the epithelial flap like it never happened. With LASEK there is no long-term concern over a 'lost flap'.
If you are considering refractive surgery make sure you are fully familiar with all treatment options. This includes the option to decline any surgery.
Related Topics: Eye Health, Common Vision Problems
Technorati Tags: lasik, lasek, eyesurgery
Both LASIK and LASEK create a tissue flap that is elevated before laser energy is applied to the clear cornea. LASIK creates a thin slice of deeper corneal stroma. Think about an ordinary hamburger bun. Most of the time the bun is split 90% across, leaving one portion of the top of the bun hinged to the lower half. The LASIK flap is just like that. As previously discussed in this blog, the LASIK flap never heals. The LASIK flap is vulnerable to trauma, dislodgment, even separation from the cornea.
This is where LASEK differs from LASIK.
LASEK achieves similar vision correction without creating that corneal stromal flap. Instead, the LASEK flap is limited to the superficial corneal epithelial cells. Once the laser is applied the epithelial 'carpet' is repositioned and the cells immediately begin to heal, firmly reattaching themselves to the cornea. In 5 days or so an entire new population of cells will replace the epithelial flap like it never happened. With LASEK there is no long-term concern over a 'lost flap'.
If you are considering refractive surgery make sure you are fully familiar with all treatment options. This includes the option to decline any surgery.
Related Topics: Eye Health, Common Vision Problems
Technorati Tags: lasik, lasek, eyesurgery
