Advanced Surface Ablation
Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is the modern iteration of the PRK laser vision correction procedure and is the preferred approach in certain subsets of patients. ASA utilizes the exact same high technology laser that is used with LASIK. Like LASIK, ASA can be used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Using the ASA approach, we can incorporate CustomCornea wavefront treatments as well as enhance/update previous LASIK surgery.
Prior to the actual laser treatment, the epithelium (surface cells) of the cornea is gently loosened and removed. In nearsighted patients, the laser will flatten the curvature of the cornea. In farsighted patients, the laser steepens the cornea. For patients with astigmatism, the laser will contour or make the cornea more spherical in shape. Also called LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis), Epithelial LASIK or E-LASIK, ASA is most commonly chosen for patients with corneas that are too thin for LASIK, or in cases in which creating or lifting a LASIK flap carries an undesirable risk. This procedure is often preferred for patients in special requirement professions such as military aviation and special forces.
The most important advantage of ASA is the preservation of corneal structure which results from not creating a LASIK flap. The disadvantage of using an ASA approach is a longer recovery after the vision correction procedure; it can often take a week or more for ASA patients to achieve the same level of vision improvement a LASIK patient can attain after just a day or two of recovery. However, there is no difference in the ultimate result and excellent vision attained when comparing ASA and LASIK.
Prior to the actual laser treatment, the epithelium (surface cells) of the cornea is gently loosened and removed. In nearsighted patients, the laser will flatten the curvature of the cornea. In farsighted patients, the laser steepens the cornea. For patients with astigmatism, the laser will contour or make the cornea more spherical in shape. Also called LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis), Epithelial LASIK or E-LASIK, ASA is most commonly chosen for patients with corneas that are too thin for LASIK, or in cases in which creating or lifting a LASIK flap carries an undesirable risk. This procedure is often preferred for patients in special requirement professions such as military aviation and special forces.
The most important advantage of ASA is the preservation of corneal structure which results from not creating a LASIK flap. The disadvantage of using an ASA approach is a longer recovery after the vision correction procedure; it can often take a week or more for ASA patients to achieve the same level of vision improvement a LASIK patient can attain after just a day or two of recovery. However, there is no difference in the ultimate result and excellent vision attained when comparing ASA and LASIK.
