LASEK (Laser Subepithelial Keratomileusis) is a newer refractive procedure that combines some features of excimer laser refractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), It replaces the corneal flap with an epithelial flap, overcoming the complications of PRK such as pain and subepithelial clouding (Haze), and solving the problem of thin corneas in some patients who are not recommended for LASIK. For the same degree of myopia, LASEK can preserve more thickness of the corneal stromal bed, so some customers with high myopia and relatively thin corneas that cannot undergo LASIK can undergo LASEK surgery. Compared to LASIK, LASEK is generally less painful, but there may be some foreign body sensation for a few hours after surgery, and recovery to optimal vision may be slower and take longer to medicate. Advantages of LASEK The major difference between LASEK and LASIK is that the corneal flap is not made with a keratome, which completely avoids the risk of poor flap making (incomplete flap, free flap, shattered flap) during LASIK surgery, as well as possible postoperative complications such as subflap epithelial implantation (which can lead to flap defect or flap melting) and irregular astigmatism caused by irregular healing of the flap, reducing psychological pressure on the surgeon and reduces the patient’s fear of excimer laser surgery. The LASEK procedure creates an intact corneal epithelial flap that covers the corneal stroma immediately after laser cutting, and the coverage of the epithelial flap has the perfect effect of suppressing the postoperative wound healing reaction, with very little visible haze (corneal haze) after surgery. With the protection of the epithelial flap, the risk of postoperative infection is greatly reduced. LASEK avoids the transient high pressure of the negative pressure ring on the eye during LASIK flaps, which is particularly safe for myopic patients with underlying fundus pathology and reduces the impact of excimer laser surgery on fundus disease to almost zero. LASEK is more suitable for thin corneas with a corneal thickness of 500 microns or less because it does not require a corneal flap, allowing for more corneal thickness to be enriched and a sufficient amount of safety to be reserved, allowing for a perfect cut according to the standard cutting diameter and avoiding the risk of glare and secondary cone corneas after LASIK. For myopic patients with small eyes, deep orbits, and flat corneal curvature that are not suitable for LASIK, LASEK is a good fit. For myopic patients with severe neovascularization of the corneal limbus due to long-term contact lens wear, LASEK surgery is safer. LASEK does not alter the mechanics of the cornea, which makes it safer for myopic patients who regularly engage in strenuous exercise and can avoid accidental eye injuries that can cause the flap to be lifted. After LASEK, visual acuity is stable, there is no irregular astigmatism, the corneal topography is flatter than LASIK, and the corneal contrast sensitivity is higher than LASIK. In addition, since the corneal perceptual nerve is not cut, patients have less postoperative dry eye symptoms, which makes it more suitable for patients who use computers for a long time. LASEK has its disadvantages, but there are also disadvantages, a few patients may have symptoms of foreign body sensation in the eye in the first two days after surgery, and they need to take longer time for eye drops and review more often after surgery, but for the long-term benefit of their eyes, these disadvantages need to be evaluated by patients themselves. LASEK indications The general indications are the same as for LASIK, with the best indication being low to moderate myopia. In contrast to LASIK, LASEK is also suitable for people with thin corneas and relatively high myopia who are not suitable for LASIK; people who are prone to trauma due to impact on the eye, such as athletes and police officers; people with small lid fissures, pterygium or trauma scars who are not easily placed with negative pressure rings; people with particularly high or low corneal curvature who are at greater risk for flap making; people with peripheral retinal degeneration or a history of retinal detachment surgery; people with RK or LASEK is the same as LASIK, but people with scarring and alcohol allergy are not suitable for LASEK. Make the right choice.