LASEK: A New Way To See Without Glasses
By Stephanie Whyche
In second grade Cheryl Seifert wore unattractive brown-framed eyeglasses that she loathed only slightly more than all the other eyeglasses that followed. Contact lenses, which she struggled to wear as a young woman, suited her no better.
Then Seifert had LASEK eye surgery, liberating her from such visual aids. The outpatient procedure changed the curve of her corneas to correct severe myopia (nearsightedness). Today Seifert sees far and away better than she ever did with visual aids.
The letters in LASEK stand for laser-assisted epithelial keratectomy. The procedure is the latest that uses a high-powered laser to permanently reshape the curvature of the cornea to minimize myopia (nearsightedness), some forms of hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Specifically, microscopic amounts of tissue in the deeper layers of the cornea are vaporized (or ablated) with a special laser that emits pulses of cool ultraviolet light. The technique also is called "surface ablation."
Cost of the surgery is about $1,700 per eye, on average across the country, though some eye surgeons charge as little as $499 an eye and other places charge as much as $3,000 per eye. The procedure typically is not covered as a basic employee health-insurance benefit.
LASEK surgery is not the same as another similar-sounding refractive eye surgery called LASIK. In LASIK (which stands for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis), laser technology also is used to reshape the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. But LASIK surgery differs from LASEK surgery in an important way: In LASIK surgery, it's the tissue underneath the cornea (not on its surface as in LASEK) that is reshaped through laser ablation. LASIK carries higher risks but entails a much shorter recuperation time. LASEK results in more discomfort and slower healing, but its risks are smaller.
Seifert went home wearing protective bandages similar to a pair of contact lenses. She wasn't able to do very much, and there also was some pain. She also had to wear goggles to protect against things like the wind. And at night she taped a plastic eye shield over her eye sockets for extra protection, she says.
But gradually her vision improved.
Seifert had wanted to have the surgery ever since she heard about it. But each time she asked her own eye doctor — not trained to perform the surgery — about it, he was hesitant. She says he was concerned that the procedure hadn't been around long enough to develop a track record.
How do you decide if LASEK is right for you?
You do it with the help of an ophthalmologist who has a track record of success in doing this and other refractive eye surgeries.
Factors that must be weighed include, the type of refractive error you have and its severity, the health and condition of your cornea, previous eye surgeries and lifestyle considerations.
For instance, refractive surgeries like this typically aren't approved for people younger than 18, because their eyes and vision may still be developing. It's also usually not recommended where there is refractive instability. Refractive instability is fluctuating vision caused by such conditions as pregnancy, breast-feeding, hormonal changes, disease or the taking of certain medications, such as steroids.
People need to ask their doctor, 'Am I a candidate?' Ask your doctor if the technology that is available today right for my eyes, and since there are different procedures, which procedure is right for me?'
People who suffer from dry eye or who have problems wearing contact lenses are good candidates for LASEK surgery, as are people whose cornea — in terms of shape or thickness — make other refractive eye surgeries more risky to do.
On the other hand, people who tend to find this surgery attractive are those who want the safest procedure and are willing to put up with more discomfort and blurry vision during a recuperation period of three to four days or longer.
In contrast, LASIK surgery is for people who are willing to accept the small-added risk. They want to minimize discomfort and have clear vision immediately.
