LASEK
Recovery Period of LASEK
LASIK and LASEK surgeries are vision correction procedures that use an excimer laser. In LASEK, the corneal epithelium is removed before applying the laser to corneal stroma.
The Recovery period for LASEK is longer compared to LASIK or Smile LASIK. Patients may experience pain for a few days after surgery and require consistent check up for several months.
Since the surgery involves removing corneal epithelium, there is pain for about 3 to 4 days while epithelium regenerates. To reduce discomfort and aid epithelial healing, a corneal protective lens must be worn after LASEK
Vision gradually improve over several weeks. It will takes a few weeks or months to reach maximum vision.
After about 3 to 4 days, vision typically improves enough to manage daily activities, though it may still appear slightly blurry.
Depending on the amount of corneal tissue removed and the vision recovery, steroid eye drops must be used for 3 to 6 months to stabilize the cornea. Since using steroid may cause increased intraocular pressure, regular ophthalmologic check-ups are necessary during recovery period
Is LASEK Painful?
LASIK surgery involves creating a flap on the outer cornea, then using laser to reshape the corneal stroma. After that, put the flap back. This results in less pain, fast vision improvement
On the other hand, LASEK surgery removes the epithelium layer on the surface before applying the laser to the corneal stroma. Since the corneal epithelium removed during the surgery, patient may experience pain and discomfort due to corneal tissue disturbance and surface epithelium healing period.
For 2 to 3 days after the surgery, symptoms such as light sensitivity, stinging, tearing, bloodshot eyes, and hot sensation may occur.
The pain depends on the individuals. While some of the them may experience mild discomfort or scratchy sensation, most patients report minimal pain during and after the surgery. The recovery period takes 1 to 3 days, depending on the individuals
How long should a Protective Lens be Worn After LASEK?
After LASEK surgery, a corneal protective lens must be worn in order to reduce pain and aid in epithelial regeneration. The corneal epithelium typically regenerates within 3 to 4 days, so protective lenses are generally worn for 5 to 7 days.
Protective lenses reduce pain and help epithelial healing process. During the period, it is recommended to use artificial tears frequently to prevent the protective lenses from drying out.
How Long is the LASEK Surgery?
The LASEK procedure takes approximately 10 minutes for both eyes.
Unlike LASIK, LASEK doesn’t involve creating a corneal flap; instead, only the corneal epithelium is removed before applying a laser. After putting anesthesia eye drops, corneal epithelium is removed, exposing the corneal stroma . An eximer laser is then used to reshape the corneal tissue as needed to correct vission
The duration of LASEK surgery may depend on whether mitomycin is applied or cornea enhancement is performed.
At What Age is LASEK Surgery Possible?
Generally, LASEK surgery is possible starting from the age of 18 when the growth of the eye is complete. The most important factor in determining the eligibility for LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE surgeries is whether myopia and astigmatism are still progressing.
Since myopia progression stops after the body’s growth is complete at the age of 18, vision correction surgeries are performed after this age. However, even if you are 18, and recently prescribed glasses no longer work well, it means that myopia is still progressing. In this case, it is better to postpone the surgery and regularly undergo check ups for eyes to confirm that myopia progression has stopped
Contact Lens before LASEK
- Avoid soft lens for 3 to 4 days or more
- Avoid hard lens for 2 weeks or more
Even though you avoid wearing contact lenses enough, individuals who have corneal unbalanced and keratitis needs consistent check up before getting surgery
If you are wearing dream lenses as known as Ortho-K lenses, you must avoid wearing dream lens at least for a month. Dream lens reshapes the cornea overnight and it makes myopia better temporarily. Therefore, you need to wait until the cornea changes into its origin shape to get tested.
If the cornea shape is unbalanced, consistent follow up for 2 to 3 weeks is crucial in order to observe if the shape changes.
Experience clearer and high quality vision with our advanced LASEK at Joeunnun Vision Clinic 
📍 Your clearer, brighter vision starts here.