It is very important to have good eyesight in order to fully enjoy the beauty of the world. However, some people unfortunately have a weak vision for which they need to wear spectacles or contact lenses that are not always comfortable. For such individuals, LASEK eye surgery can offer permanent freedom from glasses and lenses.
In this blog, we are going the understand what exactly is LASEK surgery, its advantages, and disadvantages. We will also understand who should undergo this surgery and what are the benefits of it.
What is LASEK Eye Surgery?
LASEK is a type of eye surgery that is done for the patients who are having nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism.
LASEK is one of the most popular laser eye surgery and is widely preferred by patients. LASEK is a variation of PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) surgery.
LASEK is similar to other laser refractive surgeries in which the cornea is reshaped with the use of excimer laser. This allows the light that falls on the eye to get a better focus on the retina giving the patient a clearer vision without using glasses or contact lenses.
What Are the Advantages of LASEK Eye Surgery?
LASEK eye surgery is preferred by many patients due to a lot of advantages it has. In this procedure, there are a lot of techniques used to retain a very thin corneal surface layer of cells. This plays a very important role in the recovery of the cornea after the laser sculpting procedure has been performed.
Below mentioned are some advantages of LASEK Eye Surgery
- This surgery avoids the complications that come while creating and reattaching the flap in the cornea
- Unlike other eye surgery, After LASEK eye surgery the dryness of the eyes is less frequent
Read more: FAQ About ReLEx SMILE Surgery?
Is LASEK Surgery for me?
It is very important to consult a doctor before finalizing the type of surgery suitable for your eyes. Ideally, a person who has steep or very thin corneas should go for LASEK surgery as it is very difficult for the surgeon to conduct other surgery like LASIK.
Also, the traumatic injury on the eyes that have undergone LASEK eye surgery is less compared to LASIK. So if you are in a profession that inherent risk to the eyes like boxing, mixed martial arts, etc then it is advised to undergo LASEK surgery
If a person is suffering from dry eye syndrome then LASEK surgery is the ideal option as in this surgery corneal nerves responsible for the tearing reflex are not cut.
What Happens During LASEK Eye Surgery?
Before starting the surgery, topical anesthesia is administered directly into the eye. The top layer of cells or epithelium is treated with alcohol for 30 seconds after which it is detached from the underlying tissue.
The layer is then moved back by the doctor in order to access the underlying cornea tissue. This exposed tissue is then operated with the help of laser that is used in other surgeries like LASIK and PRK.
Once the surgery is completed the top layer of cells in reattached and put back at its place.
What Happens After LASEK Eye Surgery?
Just like other surgical procedures, the surgical area needs time to heal. In the case of LASEK surgery, the recovery time is around one week.
The patient needs to wear a specialized contact lens which serves as a bandage for at least four days. In the initial days, the patient will experience irritation in their eye which is perfectly normal.
The patient needs to visit the doctor after one week and three months post-surgery to check the overall progress and status of the eye.
Benefits of LASEK surgery
There are many benefits of LASEK eye surgery which is one of the reasons why it is preferred by millions of patients around the world. Below mentioned are some of the key benefits of this surgery
- After the completion of surgery, the patient will have a better vision in just one week
- LASEK surgery is less painful than other surgeries like PRK eye surgery
- In this surgery, the corneal nerves are not cut and hence are safe which is especially beneficial for patients with dry eye syndrome
Read more: What Are Benefits of LASEK Eye Surgery?
Read more: How to Choose the Right LASIK Hospital in India for Your Eye Surgery?
Disadvantages of LASEK surgery
Just like any surgery, there are some disadvantages of undergoing LASEK surgery. Below mentioned are some of them.
- When it comes to recovery, LASEK surgery takes a longer period for the patient to recover from the surgery. It takes at least one to two weeks for the eyes to completely heal which is a similar timeline required for a patient who has undergone PRK eye surgery
- LASEK surgery causes more pain and discomfort when compared to LASIK.
- A bandaged contact lens is mandatory on the eye post-surgery for at least three to four days. This is done to create protection from blinking eyelids and the operated eye surface.
- A topical steroid drop needs to be administered for several weeks post-surgery
Cost of LASEK Surgery
The cost of LASEK eye surgery depends on a lot of things. Different cities have a different cost for the surgery, so if you are undergoing the surgery in metropolitan cities then the cost would be high while in other places it would be cheaper.
The cost also depends on the type of clinic and the technology used to perform the surgery. If you are undergoing the surgery in a well-reputed clinic that has the latest medical equipment, the cost would be higher compared to a newly inaugurated clinic that might have older equipment. The risk factor is also high at a new clinic compared to the seasoned ones as you can always refer to the patient testimonials.
On average the cost of LASEK eye surgery can range anywhere between twenty thousand to one lakh rupees per eye.
Read more: What is The Cost of LASEK Eye Surgery in India?
To conclude LASEK eye surgery is one of the most popular eye surgery options that millions of people prefer worldwide. If you want to know more about LASEK surgery or get your eyes evaluated, give us a call at (+91) 992 299 5549. You can also fill in your information below and one of our representatives will get in touch with you.