Difference Between LASIK & LASEK

LASIK and LASEK are two procedures for corrective eye surgery for astigmatism, farsightedness, presbyopia and nearsightedness. They are similar to each other, but have several differences including recovery time and certain procedural aspects.

LASIK

• During LASIK surgery a suction ring is applied to the eye, suction is applied, and a flap is cut on the cornea, epithelium, Bowman's layer and part of the anterior stroma. The suction ring is turned off, the flap is lifted, a laser reshapes part of the stroma and the flap is set back in place.

LASEK

• LASEK also cuts a flap in the eye and reshapes the exposed eye with a laser; but instead of using suction, the epithelium is loosened with an alcohol solution. The flap is cut only from the epithelium. Afterward for protection and to lessen discomfort, contact lenses are worn three to four days.

Recovery Time

• LASIK takes two days to one week to heal, and a person can drive after one to three days after the procedure.

  LASEK requires a longer healing time than LASIK; approximately four to seven days.

Benefits

• LASIK produces more 20/20 vision. Follow-up procedures are easier to perform on people who have undergone LASIK.

  LASEK preserves more tissue, has less potential for corneal haze, less risk of dry eye and no stromal complications. LASEK is a better option for people with too thin or flat corneas for LASIK.

Tools

• Both LASIK and LASEK use an excimer laser, but LASIK uses a microkeratome knife and LASEK uses a trephine (which is finer than a microkeratome).

Considerations

• In the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Dimitri Azar, et al, found that patients who underwent LASEK had better results than patients who underwent LASIK, though none of the patients could tell.