Lasek Advertisements are used to attract patients for a corrective eye surgery.
They are similar in many ways to other surgeries of this nature, but are a little different.
While all of the procedures can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism to some degree, they are handled differently.
Here are three ways the procedure is different.
1) Preparation - As with many of the procedures, the use of contact lenses are prohibited for several weeks prior to the surgery.
The cornea must be allowed to reshape into a more normal condition.
The LASEK process requires that you do not use your contacts for 2-3 weeks prior to surgery.
2) Depth of Cornea Intrusion - LASEK only take the top layer of the cornea.
An Alcohol is applied to raise and fold back the upper layer.
LASIK uses a knife type instrument to cut a little deeper to lift the corneal flap.
PKR takes a small layer off and discards it.
3) Recovery Time - LASEK takes a couple of weeks to fully recover from surgery.
LASIK takes only a couple of days for most effects to dissipate.
PKR does take longer than the others with a contact lens type protective layer over the cornea, while the removed layer heals and grows back.
There are several ways for the eyes doctors to apply corrective surgery using laser technology.
The decision will be yours, under the advice of your doctor.
Don't be led astray by LASEK advertising.
This is an important decision.
Get all the options from the doctor and be sure to consult with more than one to help determine the right procedure for you.