Sacramento Lasik CaliforniaFriday, May 09, 2008

LASEK Sacramento California LASEK

LASIK is now the vision correction procedure of choice for many ophthalmologists worldwide. Instead of removing the surface epithelium with the laser and exposing many nerve endings (as in PRK), the surgeon performing LASIK uses a motor-powered microkeratome to create a "flap." The flap is then lifted and reflected back, allowing a computer guided Excimer laser (cold laser) to use light pulses to remodel the corneal tissue underneath. Afterward, the flap is gently positioned back onto the cornea. Since this procedure is less traumatic to the outer surface of the eye, vision is restored more quickly and the patient's discomfort is reduced. Most patients report greater comfort after surgery and can generally drive two to three days after the surgery.

Laser-Assisted in Situ Epithelial Keratomileusis

LASEK is a variation of LASIK surgery that involves the creation of a thin epithelial flap with an alcohol solution, rather than the thicker corneal flap created with a microkeratome during LASIK. After the creation of the flap, the laser eye surgeon uses the laser to remove the underlying corneal tissue much like LASIK and PRK. The flap is then replaced and smoothed over. This procedure is recommended for patients with thin corneas because it saves about 160 microns more tissue than LASIK.