LASEK - Refractive Surgery
LASEK, PRK and AK
LASEK, PRK and AK are all under the umbrella of refractive surgery - commonly referred to as laser eye and incisional surgery. Each of these procedures uses laser energy to reshape the cornea -- the clear front part of the eye -- to increase its focusing power. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. A comprehensive exam performed by Dr. Yee using start-of-the-art ophthalmic examination devices and tests, helps him to determine which surgery is best suited to correct your vision.
The LASEK Advantage
All exceptional eye care begins with the expertise and insight of the ophthalmologist. His or her opinion – fueled by decades of surgery, research and teaching experience – is critically important.To Dr. Yee, safety is everything. For this reason, Dr. Yee was Houston's first eye surgeon to perform LASEK surgery exclusively. He stopped doing LASIK almost 20 years ago and hasn't ever regretted it - LASEK is a bladeless laser surgery that frees you from glasses and contacts WITHOUT an incision. The majority of complications that arise from LASIK surgery – another laser vision-correction procedure – occur as a result of the flap that is created to reshape the cornea. Flap-related complications can include infection, flap wrinkles leading to visual distortion and/or double vision, increased risk of developing dry eye, and the potential for trauma with accidental bumps.
In LASEK, no flap is created, and therefore no incision-related complications arise. The patient can have great peace of mind knowing that no cut = no flap complications and a safer surgery — all with the same excellent results.
Who can take advantage of LASEK?
While Dr. Yee recommends the LASEK procedure for the majority of his patients seeking a surgical solution, the procedure works especially well for patients with thinner corneas, higher levels of prescription and larger pupils. Depending on the shape of your cornea and predisposed eye health issues, Dr. Yee may recommend another type of laser procedure, but LASEK is the preferred method for nearly all of his refractive correction patients.
That's why LASEK is your best choice
No incision is made, meaning that no flap-related complications occur.
- No flap means LASEK patients never face the frustrating double vision, infection, glare and “halo” effect that can make night driving difficult
- Without an incision, patients are freed from the sometimes debilitating dry eye condition that can arise following LASIK
- Patients have the peace of mind that no incision is made to their eyes
LASEK Surgery: What to Expect
Dr. Yee will perform a thorough eye exam to make sure you are a good candidate for LASEK.
If you wear contacts, you will need to stop wearing them for a time period prior to surgery as contacts can change the natural shape of your cornea.
You will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery, so you will need to arrange to have someone come with you. If you are working, it will take up to a week for your eyes to heal and your vision to improve.
The procedure is performed under a mild sedative, so while you are awake you shouldn't feel any discomfort.
LASEK testimonial - Professional Photographer
Clear vision is critical for my professional success! “As the professional photographer for the Houston Rockets and Houston Texans, clear vision is critical for my professional success. Before Dr. Yee operated on my eyes, I needed accurate distance vision to capture photos across the field or court, but I also needed to wear glasses to read. He performed LASEK on one eye so I can see near objects and left my other eye alone since it was already adequate for distance vision. I highly recommend Dr. Yee for anyone considering eye surgery.” Bill Baptist, NBA Houston Rocket’s and NFL Houston Texan’s photographer
AK
AK - Astigmatic Keratomy
People with astigmatism have uneven, football-shaped corneas. AK surgically corrects the problem by making incisions in a curved pattern in the far periphery of the cornea with a high-precision, diamond-headed scalpel. Think of these incisions as a “relaxation” technique that allows the cornea to “let go” in the elevated areas and assume a more spherical shape. The amount of “relaxation” is controlled by the number, positioning, length and depth of the incisions. The depth is usually 90% of the thickness of the cornea, as measured by a pachymeter. A pachymeter is a device that measures the thickness of the cornea with ultrasonic waves. The scalpel is pre-programmed with the depth number and the incisions are made under microscopic observation to ensure correct placement. .