What is LASEK?
LASEK is a procedure that tries to preserve the surface epithelial layer of the cornea and thereby decrease the healing time of surface laser procedures. It is the PRK procedure with its decreased risks but with the goal of decreased healing time. This procedure requires the surgeon to loosen the outer layer of the cornea (called the epithelium). Unlike in PRK, the epithelium is not removed. The surgeon instead folds back the loosened epithelium so that the laser can reshape the exposed cornea. After laser application, the surgeon replaces the “flap” of epithelium over the corneal bed and places a bandage soft contact lens on top. Epi-LASEK is an automated form of LASEK, using a suction ring and plastic blade which seperates the epithelium from the underlying corneal tissue. Either LASEK procedure gives the same results.
