Our 20/20 LASIK Blog

Most of the patients we see at 20/20 Institute centers qualify for our All Laser LASIK procedure. Some, however, due to thin corneas or corneas that are steep. In cases where it may not be safe to perform All Laser LASIK, we may recommend another laser vision correction procedure like PRK or LASEK.

LASEK and PRK are both surface ablation procedures, which means that no flap is created (as with LASIK) and the treatment occurs on the surface of the cornea. With today's technologies available, both procedures can produce results comparable to LASIK.

PRK was developed first and then LASEK came as a derivative of PRK. In PRK, the outermost layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is removed and discarded. After the laser procedure the epithelial cells grow back. In LASEK, the epithelium is removed with an alcohol solution prior to the procedure but then placed back after the laser vision treatment is done. The goal of LASEK is to provide some of the benefits of LASIK, such as a shorter healing time and immediate vision correction, to people who are not good LASIK candidates. So far, though, evidence does not support the case that LASEK offers any benefits over PRK.

In addition to being good alternatives for patients who can't have LASIK due to insufficient corneal thickness, these two procedures also eliminate the chance for flap-related complications.

To find out if you are a candidate for LASIK or another vision correction procedure like PRK or LASEK, please contact us today to schedule a complimentary comprehensive evaluation. Our LASIK doctors will discuss your most viable vision correction options with you as well as our 20/20 LASIK Commitment for Life plan.