Understanding LASIK and LASEK Surgery Costs and Differences
Hello.
I'm Dr. Minji Lee, head director of Gangnam ID Eye Clinic.
It's a pleasure to greet you.
Every winter break, we see a surge in demand for vision correction surgery from students who have finished their college entrance exams and are preparing for university life, as well as from current university students.
To properly correct your vision and minimize side effects, it's important to understand the differences and precautions associated with each type of vision correction surgery beforehand.
As vision correction surgery becomes more common, many people are freeing themselves from the inconvenience of glasses and contacts. However, as demand increases, competition among eye clinics is also intensifying, leading to various cost-cutting events.
This has led to cases of side effects from reckless vision correction surgeries. For safety, it's crucial to find a method suitable for each individual, which is more important than the cost of LASIK or LASEK surgery.
Vision correction surgeries can be broadly categorized based on how lasers are used. Today, we'll explore various vision correction surgeries, examine their differences, and learn about each one.
"What are the Main Differences Between LASIK and LASEK?"
The biggest difference between LASIK and LASEK, the most representative vision correction surgeries, lies in how much of the cornea is cut or whether a flap is created when using a laser to reshape the cornea and restore vision.
LASIK involves creating a flap, lifting it, applying the laser to the stromal bed, and then repositioning the flap. The flap is essentially a corneal "lid" made by cutting into the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea.
LASIK offers less pain due to minimal nerve exposure and allows for faster visual recovery and return to daily life. However, it can be vulnerable to external impact and may not be suitable for those with thin corneas or high degrees of myopia or astigmatism.
LASEK doesn't create a flap. Instead, it involves removing only the corneal epithelium (the outer layer) and applying the laser to the underlying stroma. Because the epithelium is completely removed, there may be initial pain as the corneal nerves are exposed until it heals. However, LASEK allows for a greater amount of residual corneal tissue.
Since no flap is created, there's no risk of flap displacement or dislodgement from external impact, making it suitable for individuals with a high risk of eye trauma, such as soldiers and athletes.
"Average Costs of LASIK and LASEK Today"
The average cost of LASIK and LASEK surgery today typically ranges from ₩1,000,000 to ₩3,000,000.
The exact cost can vary depending on the clinic, the equipment used, the surgical technique, the skill of the medical staff, and the individual's eye condition.
Therefore, to accurately determine the cost of LASIK or LASEK surgery, a thorough examination is essential. It's advisable to focus not only on the cost, but also to consider various factors.
"Overall Improvements in Laser Vision Correction"
Recently, All-Laser LASEK, which combines the advantages of LASIK and LASEK, has been gaining attention. This method uses only laser equipment to smoothly remove the corneal epithelium, without the use of alcohol or brushes.
Like LASIK, it offers less pain and a shorter recovery time. It can also be a viable option for those who were previously unsuitable candidates for LASIK and LASEK.
It's more resistant to external impact, making it suitable for those with active occupations or hobbies. Furthermore, it causes relatively less glare and halos, making it ideal for those who are active at night or drive frequently.
It provides stable vision maintenance and is gaining popularity due to its stability.
"7-Dimensional Eye Tracking, Today LASEK"
Recent advancements in vision correction technology have made it possible to perform surgery on cases that were previously considered difficult. Today LASEK can be an alternative for those with high myopia or astigmatism that limited their options.
Today LASEK is performed using the Amaris Red 1050RS equipment. It corrects vision by using a laser to ablate the corneal epithelium and stroma, enabling faster and more precise vision correction.
The 7-dimensional eye-tracking system tracks the eye from multiple angles and responds quickly to even the slightest movements, allowing for precise treatment. This reduces the damage rate and enables more accurate and delicate procedures.
By using a thin laser beam to simultaneously remove only the necessary parts of the epithelium and stroma, pain is reduced, unnecessary damage is minimized, and recovery is accelerated.
Furthermore, the heat dispersion system reduces corneal damage, minimizing the likelihood of side effects and allowing for more stable results.
"Save LASEK: Possible if Basic Requirements are Met for Poor Vision"
For those with thin corneas, high myopia, and astigmatism, glasses or contact lenses can be like a second pair of eyes. Without these vision correction tools, daily life can be significantly impaired due to poor vision.
Recently, many people with high myopia, astigmatism, and thin corneas have been seeking vision correction. Save LASEK is a method that can be considered in these cases.
Save LASEK is performed using the EX500 White equipment, which incorporates a high-precision, real-time corneal thickness measurement device to monitor corneal thickness changes during the procedure, enhancing safety.
It also minimizes errors, significantly improving issues such as glare and dry eye after vision correction. Even with thin corneas, high myopia, or astigmatism, it can be performed if basic requirements are met, offering a wide range of vision correction options.
"The Most Important Points to Consider"
Since vision correction surgery is performed on sensitive eyes, it's important to carefully consider various factors before making a decision. For safety, it's advisable to have a thorough consultation rather than simply choosing based on the lowest LASIK or LASEK surgery cost.
First, assess the condition, shape, and thickness of the cornea and check the degree of myopia and astigmatism through various tests such as vision tests, refraction tests, and intraocular pressure tests. Based on the results, consider your occupation, hobbies, lifestyle, family history, and medical conditions to find the most suitable method.
Also, carefully check the experience, skills, and expertise of the medical staff to improve the stability and satisfaction of the results. It's also important to check the equipment used and the aftercare system.
Thank you for reading this long article. This has been Dr. Minji Lee, head director of Gangnam ID Eye Clinic.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/tkatlrltkatl/224062840690
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