LASEK SURGERY
Lasek is performed by removing the epithelium of the eye with the help of alcohol solution. Once the laser is applied, the epithelium is placed back in its site. In Lasek method, extremely safe results are achieved. Burning, stinging and watering problems may occur in the 2 to 3 postoperative days. Within a week, clear vision will be obtained. A clear result can be achieved in the third postoperative month of Lasek treatment. However, patients can continue their normal life without wearing glasses during this period. The primary candidates for the Lasek treatment procedure are patients, who are inoperable in terms of lasik surgery due to their thinner transparent layer.
Lasek treatment can be applied to such patients, regardless of the thickness of the transparent layer. Lasek treatment is one of the laser techniques preferred in the treatment of myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. In cases where the cornea is not thick enough for lasik treatment, lasek treatment is applied. In Lasek treatment, the eye is numbed by only numbing drops. The patient feels no pain during the operation. A contact lens is placed on the eye to accelerate the self-renewal process of the epithelium, and protect the eye. A few days after the operation, the contact lens is removed by the doctor.
How is lasek treatment performed?
In a Lasek treatment, first the eye is numbed with the help of numbing drops. The eye contour area is cleaned and covered with a sterile cover. A device called “blepharostat” is placed on the eyelids to prevent blinking. The epithelium, the uppermost layer of the cornea, is made looser with the help of alcohol. The laser application is then started on the cornea. At this stage, the flap of epithelium stripped and folded to the side is placed back onto the cornea. The doctor place a contact lens on the eye, and then antibiotic drops are applied. The blepharostat placed before starting the treatment to prevent blinking is removed, and the operation is completed.
What is the difference of the lasek procedure from the others?
In lasik treatment, a flap is taken from the transparent layer but in lasek treatment, only the epithelium layer is removed. Its difference from the PRK procedure is the fact that the epithelium layer removed in PRK is preserved in the Lasek procedure. This ensures less pain and shorter healing period in the Lasek procedure. Lasek treatment is a simpler procedure compared to lasik treatment. However, its post-treatment period may be a little bit longer than that of the other.
What is the characteristic of the lasek procedure?
The most prominent feature of lasek treatment is its applicability in patients with a cornea thickness inoperable in terms of lasik treatment, although they have a mild visual impairment such as myopia up to -3 D (dioptres) and astigmatism up to 3 D. In Lasek treatment, the eye is numbed with numbing drops. No pain or ache is felt during the operation. After surgery, the doctor places a contact lens on the eye to protect it and accelerate the self-renewal process of the epithelium, and he/she removes it after several days.
What will I experience after lasek treatment?
After lasek treatment, soft non-optical lenses are placed on your eyes to accelerate the healing process. The lenses are removed under the supervision of the doctor, after achieving recovery a few days later. Since lasek treatment is simpler than other procedures, it can be completed within 5 to 10 minutes and causes no pain during operation. Because the healing process of lasek treatment takes a little bit longer, pain, watering, stinging and blurred vision may occur within the 3 to 5 postoperative days. The vision will begin to become clear after a week.
What are the points that I need to take into consideration after lasek treatment?
As with all laser treatments, there is no need to cover the eyes with bandages after lasek treatment. Eye drops to be given after treatment should be used carefully and appropriately. You are advised not to touch your eyes and not take a bath for the first 24 hours. After the 24 hours, you can return to your normal life. Problems such as stinging and watering eyes experienced in the first several hours are quite normal. You can continue your life without complaints a week after surgery.