For consumers that wear glasses or contact lenses the term LASIK is readily and widely known and many people think it is the only form of laser eye surgery or vision correction surgery involving a laser. Actually there are 2 other less known but just as effective vision enhancement surgeries. PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) are the other mainstream laser eye surgeries available. PRK was actually the forerunner to the more commonly known LASIK and some surgeons still prefer it for many patients depending on the size and structure of their eye. LASEK on the other hand is a combination of both LASIK and PRK that offers many benefits to the patients that undergo this form of laser eye surgery and it has proven to be very effective at improving an individual's vision clarity.

LASEK differs from LASIK in the way the actual surgery is performed. With LASIK, generally speaking the portion of the eye known as the cornea has its top sliced off in order to improve the vision of the patient. Instead, LASEK relies on diluted alcohol in a solution mix that is applied to the eye in order to loosen a thin layer cells on the epithelium allowing for it to be shifted off to the side of the eye.

One of the major issues with the normal LASIK procedure is what's known as the corneal flap. Because this form of eye surgery involves slicing the corneal there have been some isolated incidences where the flap was completely cut off or a deeper then required incision took place. Both if these errors can result in serious vision problems appearing for the patient immediately following their vision correction surgery. Fortunately, LASEK avoids these issues by not dealing with the corneal flap. Other benefits that have been attributed to LASEK include a faster healing and recovery time period and a reduced risk of problems with a glare developing after the surgery as has been noted in some patients after having PLK surgery to improve their eyesight.

Because LASEK doesn't involve any cutting from a rather sharp knife the known risks associated with this form of vision correction surgery are lower when compared to LASIK or PRK. However, like any surgery, there will still be some slight discomfort that can be minimized with medications that can be bought over the counter. Although there is a lower chance of developing dry eyes or halos the possibility, no matter how remote, does still exist even when opting to have LASEK performed.

As with the other laser eye surgeries you will need to provide as much of your medical history as possible to the laser eye surgeon or doctor that will be performing the surgery. You will also most likely undergo some eye pre-screening checks and tests in order to make sure that LASEK will actually be able to improve your vision clarity. Normally LASEK surgery takes only a few minutes with the necessary prep time prior to the surgery taking the most time to complete. Many patients experience blurred vision for a few days following the surgery and profess that their vision starts to continually improve as the months go by following the laser eye surgery.

LASEK is another means of improving your eyesight without many of the known risks that go along with traditional LASIK and PLK. As with any surgical procedure take the time to educate yourself so you'll no what to expect prior to the surgery and you will be enjoying better vision in no time.