Lasek surgery

Patient evaluation

Before lasek surgery

Patient is positioned on the operating table and the fellow eye is covered.

Lasek procedure

The periphery of the cornea is marked with circles to allow the surgeon to know the reference points to replace the epithelial flap over the corneal bed at the exact position.

Alcohol dispenser consisting of customized 7 or 9 mm semisharp circular well attached to a hollow metal handle serves as a reservoir for the 18-20% alcohol which is ethanol. Firm pressure is applied on the cornea and alcohol is released into the well of the marker. After 25-35 seconds the alcohol is aspirated and then dried with sponge.

This is one of the flap creation techniques. There are several techniques like Camellin flap technique and butterfly technique.

An epithelial flap is created and is left attached at its hinge which can be either superiorly at 12 o’clock or temporally at 9 o’clock.

To separate between the epithelial flap and the stroma, fluid is injected between them which can be either BSS, GenTeal Gel or Celluvisc.

Corneal ablation is done by excimer laser.

After laser ablation, the stroma and the epithelial flap is hydrated and the flap is replaced on the stroma and care must be taken to realign the epithelial flap to its original position using the previous marks.The flap then allowed to dry for 2-5 minutes.