2026-07-20
Are You Very Afraid of LASEK Surgery Pain?
Many prefer LASIK over LASEK due to faster recovery and less pain. This post addresses LASEK pain concerns, explaining modern advancements that reduce discomfort and speed healing.


Most people prefer LASIK over LASEK for vision correction surgery.
What is the reason?
There are various reasons, but to name a few:
- The recovery period is relatively fast.
- There is little pain.
These factors make LASIK a convenient surgery for modern people. Furthermore, many patients are afraid of LASEK surgery pain, so today's post will be for those who fear LASEK pain.

Let me first explain based on standard LASEK.
Standard LASEK surgery has been performed using two methods: alcohol and a brush.
The first LASEK surgery using alcohol involves removing the corneal epithelium, reshaping the exposed cornea, and then covering it again with the removed corneal epithelium.
The second LASEK surgery using a brush involves abrading the corneal epithelium with a rotating brush and then applying a protective lens.
Therefore, standard LASEK causes more pain and has a relatively slower recovery period compared to traditional LASIK surgery. Busy modern people who are pressed for time tend to prefer LASIK over LASEK.

Today's vision correction surgery at Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic has many differences compared to the past.
Regarding LASEK surgery pain, we have reduced pain and shortened the recovery period compared to standard LASEK surgery.
This difference comes from advanced equipment and the skill of experienced medical staff, which I will explain now.
Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic uses the Amaris 750S laser equipment.
First, it would be good to learn about this equipment, wouldn't it?
The Amaris 750S equipment boasts a speed more than twice as fast as existing lasers. The advantage of its high speed is that it can shorten surgery time, resulting in less corneal damage than before, which means the recovery period can be shortened even further.
Additionally, the laser beam size is 0.54mm, which reduces the margin of error and allows for precise laser irradiation, thereby reducing side effects or complications. Thanks to these advancements in equipment, LASEK surgery pain is no longer as severe as it used to be.

Traditional lasers tracked the eyeball in 3 dimensions for surgery.
The Amaris 750S equipment at Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic has a 6-dimensional eye tracking system, which can detect hard-to-sense movements such as eye tilt, up, down, left, and right, allowing for surgery with a reduced margin of error.
Therefore, the recovery period is no longer as long, nor is the pain as severe as with standard LASEK!
The strengths of LASEK compared to LASIK are:
It is a vision correction surgery that is resistant to external impact!
It can correct severe myopia and severe astigmatism that cannot be resolved with LASIK surgery!
Due to these representative reasons, soldiers, athletes, or those with very poor vision can undergo the procedure.

Despite being more upgraded than existing standard LASEK due to equipment advancements, many people are still afraid of LASEK surgery pain.
As the equipment has advanced, so has the proficiency and skill of the medical staff, so you can now put aside worries like, ‘Will I be in pain and crying for 4 days?’

Today, I wrote this post for those who are still afraid of LASEK surgery pain.
Pain or a slow recovery period from vision correction surgery can be a critical blow to us, so before visiting, it is advisable to check:
What equipment the eye clinic uses for surgery.
How much experience the medical staff has (are they experienced?).
Check these aspects thoroughly and visit for a precise examination to choose the vision correction surgery that is right for your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is LASIK preferred over LASEK?
LASIK is preferred by many due to its advantages of a relatively faster recovery period and less pain compared to LASEK. It is considered a convenient surgery for busy modern individuals.
How is standard LASEK surgery performed?
Standard LASEK surgery is performed in two main ways. The first involves using alcohol to remove the corneal epithelium and then covering it again. The second involves abrading the corneal epithelium with a brush and then applying a protective lens.
How have modern LASEK procedures improved in terms of pain and recovery time?
Modern LASEK has reduced pain and shortened the recovery period compared to standard LASEK. This is thanks to advanced equipment like the Amaris 750S and the skill of experienced medical staff, which shortens surgery time and reduces corneal damage.
What are the advantages of the Amaris 750S laser equipment?
The Amaris 750S equipment operates more than twice as fast as traditional lasers, shortening surgery time, reducing corneal damage, and accelerating recovery. Its precise 0.54mm laser beam and 6-dimensional eye tracking system also reduce the margin of error, thereby minimizing side effects.
What are the strengths of LASEK compared to LASIK?
LASEK has the strength of being a vision correction surgery that is resistant to external impact. It can also correct severe myopia or severe astigmatism, which are difficult to resolve with LASIK, making it suitable for soldiers, athletes, or individuals with very poor vision.
Is modern LASEK still very painful?
No, modern LASEK does not cause as much pain as it used to, thanks to advancements in equipment and the skilled techniques of medical staff. You can now put aside worries like, ‘Will I be in pain and crying for 4 days?’