Procedures

Advanced Surface Ablation

PRK
PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy) was the first procedure performed using the Excimer laser. It corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. In the first step, the epithelium, a thin layer of clear protective skin that covers the cornea, is completely removed. After the Excimer laser reshapes the surface (as in LASIK), the epithelium grows back over the treated area, usually within three to seven days. Functional vision typically returns within the first week.

With LASIK, patients encounter less discomfort and a faster recovery time. However, PRK may be recommended for patients with larger pupils or thin corneas.

LASEK
LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) combines certain elements of both the PRK and LASIK procedures. Instead of completely removing the epithelium as in PRK, a flap is loosened with a diluted alcohol solution and moved aside. The surface under the epithelium is then treated with the Excimer laser and the flap is gently returned to its original position, as with LASIK. A protective, soft contact lens is then placed over the cornea to make the eye more comfortable while it heals.

Using the epithelial flap as a natural protective bandage with LASEK, as opposed to completely removing the epithelium as with PRK, may improve healing, reduce postoperative discomfort and the incidence of postoperative haze. And, the margin of safety with LASEK is increased over LASIK as the need for the microkeratome is eliminated. Visual is generally quicker than PRK, but significantly slower than with LASIK.

Epi-LASIK
Epi-LASIK is a relatively new laser vision procedure that combines the methods of LASEK and LASIK procedures. Instead of using a microkeratome to create the corneal flap as in the LASIK and LASEK procedures, Epi-LASIK on the other hand uses a relatively blunt, oscillating plastic blade (called an epithelial separator) to loosen an epithelial sheet from the eye. After the epithelial sheet is made, it is carefully folded away from the eye, and an Excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. Once this is completed, the epithelial sheet is placed back over the eye, at which point the eye is fitted with a protective contact lens.

Epi-LASIK surgery was designed to minimize many of the risks associated with LASIK and LASEK while still producing desirable results and can facilitate the vision correction needs of many people who otherwise would not be good candidates for other procedures. Epi-LASIK does require a more thorough and lengthy recovery period, but most patients experience less discomfort than with PRK and LASEK.