Laser Eye Surgery

"The staff at midland eye were fantastic at alleviating my concerns and fears of receiving LASEK. The whole process from start to finish was professional and I felt I could put my trust in staff to look after my eyes"

Laser eye surgery involves using a laser to change the shape of the cornea at the front of the Eye. This improves the ability of the eye to focus more clearly and can treat short sight, long sight and astigmatism or blurred vision, eliminating the need for glasses. At Midland Eye we have installed state of the art laser technology to achieve vision correction and treat abnormalities of the eye and offer both LASIK and LASEK laser eye treatment.

Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)

Laser in situ Keromileusis (LASIK)

The newest laser eye surgery procedure is called LASEK. This was invented in Britain in 1996 by Professor Sunil Shah.

+ What is LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis)?

This is a surface based treatment. A “blister” is caused on the surface of the eye by using some alcohol held in a cup on the eye. The roof of this “blister”, the epithelium, is pushed aside as a flap without any cutting. The laser is then applied and then the epithelium placed back down and covered by a bandage contact lens for 3 to 4 days.

There are advantages of LASEK over PRK in terms of rate of healing, haze and pain. There are advantages over LASIK in terms of the small risk in LASIK from cutting the flap. The disadvantages compared to LASIK are slower recovery times and possibly more discomfort.

The quality of vision with LASEK may be superior to LASIK in the lower prescriptions.

+ What is LASIK (Laser in situ Keromileusis)?

The “flap and zap” method or LASIK involves treatment in the middle of the cornea. By this technique a thin flap of the corneal tissue, which includes the surface cells, is first made with an automated instrument. This flap is hinged and is folded back so that the laser treatment can be applied to the stroma as in PRK or LASEK.

Once the laser application is completed the flap is replaced and sticks back into position within a few minutes. This procedure, unlike PRK, does not cause significant pain in the post operative period. Visual improvement is realised very quickly within 24 to 48 hours, as there is no “scratch” that has to heal. Haze hardly occurs with this technique although the possibility of surgical complications is marginally higher.

+ Who is suitable for laser eye surgery?

+ What results can I expect from laser eye surgery?

+ Is laser eye surgery painful?

+ Is laser eye surgery safe?

+ How long does it take to recover?

+ Further information

Laser Eye Surgery Consultants

Professor Sunil Shah
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Qualifications
FRCS(Ed), FRCOphth and FBCLA

Clinical Interests
Cataract Refractive lens exchange Laser eye surgery Dry eye Complex anterior eye disease Research Interests: Novel...

Professor Sunil Shah

Qualifications
FRCS(Ed), FRCOphth and FBCLA

Clinical Interests
Cataract Refractive lens exchange Laser eye surgery Dry eye Complex anterior eye disease Research Interests: Novel...

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Mr Ankur Barua
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Qualifications
MBChB, FRCOphth, MA (Medical Law & Ethics), BSc (Hons) and PGDip

Clinical Interests
Corneal transplantation of all forms Refractive corneal and lens surgery Cataract surgery Secondary lens implants Ocular...

Mr Ankur Barua