A recent study headed by Dr. Dimitri Azar, field chair of ophthalmologic research and professor and head of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UIC, brings into focus a wide variety of options in laser eye surgery.
Published in the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Dr. Azar's study compares the short-term outcomes for two procedures, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).
The study concluded that "although there were some differences in the visual and refractive results that favor the LASEK procedure, the differences were not clinically significant," said Azar. "These results are in line with previous smaller studies that we reviewed comparing the procedures."
According to "Yanoff: Ophthalmology," LASIK is performed first with a keratome to lift the anterior flap of the cornea and then an excimer laser to sculpt the stromal bed, changing the refractive error of the eye. LASEK is a surgical technique that combines features of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and LASIK in which a corneal epithelial flap, the top most layer of the eye-much thinner than the flap created by LASIK, is elevated by applying alcohol. The alcohol separates it from the layer beneath where it can be replaced at the end of the procedure. Both correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
While only ophthalmologists, eye doctors who attended medical school and earned an MD, are qualified to perform the laser vision correction surgery, many discount chains use optometrists to examine and explain the procedures to patients. Their ophthalmologists act merely as highly trained technicians, coming in to cut and zap, and then zapping out.
Get at least one opinion from a consultation with an ophthalmologist. Ask how many surgeries your ophthalmologist has performed. Be aware that advertisements may intentionally proclaim a large number of surgeries, having first pooled together all procedures performed by affiliated surgeons, instead of listing the numbers by each individual surgeon.
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