Laser refractive surgery corrects vision problems and is an excellent alternative to glasses and contact lenses. During the procedure, a cutting laser changes the cornea’s shape to improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
LASIK eye surgery is the best-known and most commonly performed laser vision correction, but LASEK is another popular option. Let’s look at how the two are similar and different and how the Vision Institute of Michigan can help.
Both surgeries reshape the cornea
LASIK and LASEK reshape the cornea with excimer lasers and are highly successful at correcting refractive errors, including:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, is when you have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly
- Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is when you have difficulty seeing close-up objects clearly
- Astigmatism, which is distorted vision due to irregularities in the shape of the cornea or the lens
LASIK uses a femtosecond laser to cut a flap in the cornea and reshape the tissue. The surgeon replaces the flap, and the tissue heals on its own, with recovery taking only a few hours to one day. Most people have clear vision within hours after surgery.
LASEK uses an excimer laser and an alcohol solution to loosen the cornea, requiring less precise incisions. While LASEK is a more invasive procedure that involves a more extended recovery period, it may be a better choice for people with thin corneas because it doesn’t include removing as much corneal tissue as LASIK.
How LASIK and LASEK are different
The primary difference between LASIK and LASEK is how the procedure is performed.
LASIK in Detroit only takes about 10 minutes for each eye and causes little to no pain.
During LASIK surgery, you’ll receive eye drops that contain a numbing agent in your eyes. Dr. Novetsky uses a small blade or special laser, cutting a thin flap to reshape your cornea gently. A computer guides it with a map of your eye preloaded into it before the corneal flap is put back into place. If you are getting both eyes operated on, Dr. Novetsky will immediately repeat this process on the other eye.
Surgeons can use different techniques for this procedure, but LASEK surgery generally includes the following:
- Topical anesthesia is placed directly on your eye.
- The top layer of cells on your cornea is treated with alcohol for approximately thirty seconds.
- This is detached from the underlying tissue and rolled back to provide access to the corneal tissue.
- The same laser type used in LASIK treats the cornea to correct your vision.
- The top layer of cells is put back in place.
- The wound is typically treated with topical steroids and antibiotics, and a soft contact lens is placed over your eye to protect it. After 3 to 4 days, you can remove the soft contact lens once the eye is healed.
LASIK is considered a more straightforward surgery than LASEK, with less downtime and a quicker recovery because LASIK is less invasive than LASEK. Both can be done in one day, typically within a half hour, but LASIK surgery may be shorter. Recovery for LASIK surgery tends to be quicker than for LASEK since the surgery does not involve as much cutting away.
LASIK vs. LASEK: VIM prefers LASIK
The Vision Institute of Michigan has a team of ophthalmologists and doctors with specific areas of practice that are here to serve you. We have long-standing relationships with our team of medical professionals, each of whom is happy to help the Detroit area. One of our many doctors has been part of our team for over 30 years. Our unparalleled experience and commitment to patient well-being set us apart.
If you want to correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism or just want to decrease or eliminate dependence on glasses or contacts, the Vision Institute of Michigan can help. Our practice provides the most advanced refractive surgical options, including some of the best Advanced Surface Treatment (AST) and LASIK eye surgery in Michigan offers.
Frequently considered to be one of the best LASIK surgeons in Michigan, Detroit-based Dr. Jay Novetsky has years of experience performing refractive surgery in the Detroit metropolitan area. Dr. Novestky has safely completed thousands of procedures, increasing the quality of life for each patient. All laser vision correction procedures are performed at the Laser Institute of Michigan in Fraser, and pre-and post-operative care is offered at any Vision Institute of Michigan location.
Contact us today to find out more about LASIK in Michigan.