How Far Have Technologies for Reducing Pain After LASEK Come? Seocho-dong Ophthalmology

Hello, this is Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic😊💙

One of the biggest concerns for those considering vision correction surgery is

post-operative pain and recovery time.

LASEK surgery, in particular, can involve pain during the removal of the corneal epithelium,

leading to the development of various technologies to minimize it.

Recently, techniques such as All-Laser Today LASEK, corneal strengthening, and autologous serum eye drops

are gaining attention for pain relief and accelerated recovery.

Seocho-dong Ophthalmology: Why Does Pain Occur After LASEK?

LASEK surgery involves using a laser to remove the corneal epithelium,

and then irradiating the corneal stroma with a laser to correct vision.

The main reason for pain during this process is due to the nerves distributed on the surface of the eye,

especially in the corneal epithelium.

The corneal epithelium acts as a protective barrier,

shielding the eye from the external environment.

When this epithelium is removed, sensitive nerve tissues are exposed,

leading to a sharp increase in sensitivity to external stimuli,

which in turn causes pain.

Since it takes a certain amount of time for the epithelium to fully regenerate,

during this recovery period, discomfort such as dry eyes and increased light sensitivity

may occur.

The intensity of pain can vary from person to person.

If you are generally sensitive to pain, have dry eyes, or require more corneal tissue to be ablated for vision correction,

there is a possibility that the pain may feel more severe.

Considering these points, it is advisable to have a thorough pre-operative consultation before LASEK surgery

to accurately understand your eye condition and discuss with a specialist

to find ways to reduce pain.

Seocho-dong Ophthalmology: All-Laser Today LASEK

Traditional LASEK surgery involved removing the corneal epithelium using

instruments such as alcohol and brushes.

However, this method could irritate surrounding tissues,

potentially leading to side effects like corneal haze after surgery.

In contrast, All-Laser LASEK removes the corneal epithelium and corrects vision using only a laser,

without these instruments.

As a result, the corneal ablation surface is smoother and more precise,

reducing the likelihood of side effects such as dry eyes or glare,

and alleviating post-operative pain.

Since the ablated area is cleanly finished, the recovery speed is also

relatively faster.

Recently, ‘Today LASEK,’ an all-laser method that maximizes the advantages of LASIK and LASEK while compensating for their drawbacks,

has become a popular choice for many people.

Today LASEK uses the ‘Amaris Red’ laser to

ablate both the corneal epithelium and stroma at once,

reducing the area of corneal damage and shortening the recovery period to about 2 days,

which can be beneficial for those who found the pain of LASEK surgery daunting.

The Amaris Red laser used in Today LASEK boasts

the fastest laser ablation speed among existing excimer laser devices and

a laser beam size 3.5 times thinner than conventional lasers.

It incorporates highly sophisticated technology that tracks minute eye movements

to perform laser correction,

allowing for the removal of the corneal epithelium with the smallest diameter laser beam and then

irradiating the stroma to correct refractive errors.

The corneal stromal laser ablation process is meticulously performed based on the Amaris Red device's

high precision and stability,

and is ‘customized’ to each individual's three-dimensional eye shape.

Seocho-dong Ophthalmology: Two Procedures That Help with Stability & Pain Reduction

While not mandatory,

there are two procedures that are beneficial to receive along with Today LASEK:

corneal strengthening and autologous serum eye drops.

‘Corneal strengthening’ is a procedure that cross-links collagen fibers in the cornea

to make the cornea stronger.

It enhances corneal stability after LASEK surgery, helping to prevent complications such as

corneal ectasia that can occur post-surgery.

It also improves the structural strength of the cornea,

which can contribute to alleviating pain during the post-operative recovery process.

‘Autologous serum eye drops’ are eye drops made by extracting serum from the patient's blood,

used for pain relief and accelerated recovery after LASEK surgery.

Serum contains growth factors, immunoglobulins, and vitamin A, among others,

which help promote the regeneration of damaged corneal epithelium and reduce inflammation.

Furthermore, because it uses the patient's own blood, there is almost no rejection reaction,

and it also has the effect of reducing the risk of side effects such as corneal haze and myopic regression.

Compared to LASIK, LASEK is considered a very safe surgery with few side effects,

but due to the disadvantages of severe post-operative pain and slow recovery,

many people are hesitant to undergo the surgery.

Therefore, technologies to reduce pain and promote recovery after LASEK surgery

are continuously advancing.

However, since the appropriate surgical method can vary depending on an individual's eye condition,

we recommend careful selection of the most suitable method for you through thorough consultation with medical staff.

Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic

is equipped with the latest equipment and a systematic examination system,

providing sincere care and surgery to each individual through 1:1 customized consultations.

We also always prioritize the patient,

and value transparency and safety above all else.

If you have any other inquiries,

please feel free to contact the eye clinic at any time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does pain occur after LASEK surgery?

Pain occurs after LASEK surgery because the removal of the corneal epithelium exposes sensitive nerve tissue. Discomfort such as dry eyes or light sensitivity may accompany the regeneration of the epithelium.

What is All-Laser Today LASEK?

All-Laser Today LASEK is a method that removes the corneal epithelium and corrects vision using only a laser, without alcohol or brushes. It uses the Amaris Red laser to ablate both the corneal epithelium and stroma at once, helping to shorten the recovery period to approximately 2 days.

How does Today LASEK help alleviate pain?

Today LASEK precisely ablates the corneal epithelium with a laser, reducing irritation to surrounding tissues and minimizing the area of corneal damage. It also contributes to pain reduction by shortening the recovery period and lowers the risk of side effects such as dry eyes or glare.

What are the effects of corneal strengthening after LASEK?

Corneal strengthening cross-links collagen fibers in the cornea, making it stronger. This increases corneal stability after LASEK surgery, helping to prevent complications like corneal ectasia, and can also aid in alleviating pain during the recovery process.

Why are autologous serum eye drops used after LASEK?

Autologous serum eye drops are made from serum extracted from the patient's blood. Growth factors and other components in the serum promote the regeneration of damaged corneal epithelium and reduce inflammation, thus being used for pain relief and accelerated recovery. Since the patient's own blood is used, there is almost no rejection reaction.