LASEK — surface vision correction without a corneal flap
The short answer
At Gangnam Central Eye Clinic, LASEK means One-Point LASEK. No corneal flap is made: the surface layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is removed with a laser rather than a blade or brush, and the tissue underneath is then corrected — an all-laser LASEK. A protective contact lens is worn for 3–5 days after surgery, and it takes 1–3 months for vision to stabilise, varying from person to person.
How does LASEK work?
- Step by step: anaesthetic eye drops → the laser removes the corneal epithelium → the laser corrects the corneal tissue beneath → a special protective contact lens is placed over the eye.
- Equipment: SCHWIND AMARIS RED excimer laser — repetition rate 1050 Hz, spot size 0.54 mm (Super-Gaussian profile), eye-tracker sampling 1050 Hz.
- The clinic's description "a recovery advantage of 1.5 days by shortening the painful period" refers to how long the pain lasts. For everyday recovery, the guide is the recovery table below (protective lens 3–5 days, vision stabilising over 1–3 months).
Comparison — LASEK and LASIK
| One-Point LASEK | Safe ATOS LASIK | |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal flap | Not made | Made |
| Surface layer | Removed by laser (no blade or brush) | The flap is lifted |
| Straight after surgery | Protective lens for 3–5 days | — (no recovery figure on record) |
| Vision stabilises | 1–3 months (varies by person) | — |
| Key measurements | Corneal thickness and shape | Corneal thickness and shape |
It is often said that LASEK is "safer" or "removes less" than LASIK. That is a misconception: one is not better than the other — they reshape the cornea at different depths.
Who is LASEK suitable for — and when is something else explained first?
Suitability is decided by measuring corneal thickness and corneal shape. In the following situations, a different approach is explained first.
- A planned ablation of 160 or more, or myopia of -8.0 D or more with moderate astigmatism → implantable lens surgery is recommended first.
- Severe dry eye → treating the dry eye comes first.
- In your mid-40s with presbyopia beginning → near vision may become uncomfortable after LASEK, so presbyopia is taken into account.
- Eyes that have already had LASIK or LASEK → assessed separately using the criteria for revision surgery (remaining corneal tissue, the area treated by the previous laser, and the optical zone).
What is measured?
Corneal thickness and corneal shape matter most, and they are measured several times to narrow the margin of error. Your prescription, tear film, pupil size and the condition of the retina are checked as well.
Before the examination, leave soft contact lenses out for at least 5 days and hard lenses for at least 7 days.
Recovery and follow-up
| Guidance | |
|---|---|
| Protective lens | 3–5 days after surgery |
| Vision stabilises | 1–3 months (varies by person) |
| Follow-up | 5 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after surgery; long-term follow-up between 6 months and 1 year; then a check-up once a year (free for vision correction patients) |
| Sunglasses | For at least 1 month when outdoors. UV protection matters for healing after LASEK, so the doctor recommends wearing them for 2 months if you can |
| Alcohol | A little after 2 weeks; heavier drinking after 1 month |
| Exercise | Walking from the next day; gym and yoga after 1–2 weeks (light weights within the first week are fine); swimming, combat sports and ball sports after 1 month |
All of this depends on how you heal, so it varies from person to person.
How are costs explained?
Costs depend on your examination results and on the type of surgery, and fees for international patients are given after consultation. If you contact us by telephone or email before you travel, we will explain in advance so that nothing comes as a surprise when you arrive.
If you are travelling from abroad
- With LASEK, the first follow-up visit is on day 5 after surgery, and the protective lens stays in for 3–5 days. Your return date is planned with you at consultation around this schedule.
- When you can fly after LASEK is decided at a check-up, once the doctor has seen how the corneal surface is healing.
- Contact: telephone +82-2-555-1369 · email gnceyecenter@naver.com · WhatsApp · consultation languages on the registration: Korean, English and Chinese
Side effects and individual differences
Vision correction surgery carries the possibility of side effects, including dry eye, glare or halos at night, fluctuating vision during recovery and, rarely, infection, regression of myopia or the need for further treatment. Results and recovery differ from person to person, and no particular level of vision is promised. Please decide only after a precision examination and consultation with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions (17)
Does LASEK involve making a corneal flap?
No. The surface layer of the cornea is removed with a laser, the tissue underneath is corrected, and a protective contact lens is placed on top.
How is One-Point LASEK different from standard LASEK?
It is an all-laser LASEK: the corneal epithelium is removed with the laser alone, without a blade or brush.
Is LASEK safer than LASIK?
That is a common misconception. LASEK is not safer and does not remove less tissue — it simply works at a different depth. Which suits you is decided by the thickness and shape of your cornea.
Does LASEK hurt a lot?
How much pain there is, and for how long, varies from person to person. One-Point LASEK aims to shorten the painful period, and a protective contact lens is worn for 3–5 days after surgery.
When can I go back to work and normal life?
You may feel discomfort while the protective lens is in for 3–5 days, and it takes 1–3 months for vision to stabilise. Because this varies from person to person, the doctor will advise you again after checking your eyes at follow-up.
When do I need to come back after surgery?
Check-ups are 5 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after surgery, with long-term follow-up between 6 months and 1 year.
Do I really have to wear sunglasses?
Sunglasses or UV-blocking glasses are recommended outdoors for at least 1 month. UV protection is important for healing after LASEK, so the doctor recommends wearing them for 2 months if you can.
When can I drink alcohol again?
A little alcohol from 2 weeks after surgery, and heavier drinking from 1 month. Drinking during recovery can cause redness and dryness and slow healing.
When can I exercise?
Walking from the next day, gym and yoga after 1–2 weeks, and swimming, combat sports and ball sports after 1 month.
Can I have LASEK if my corneas are thin?
Your corneal thickness and shape are measured again before deciding. If not enough tissue can be removed, implantable lens surgery, which does not reshape the cornea, is considered as well.
My prescription is very high. Is LASEK possible?
If the planned ablation is 160 or more, or you have myopia of -8.0 D or more together with moderate astigmatism, implantable lens surgery is recommended first.
What equipment is used?
The SCHWIND AMARIS RED excimer laser, with a repetition rate of 1050 Hz and a 0.54 mm spot size.
What is the risk of side effects?
It is not given as a number. The examination first looks for conditions that raise the risk, such as severe dry eye, and anything that can be treated is treated first.
If my vision gets worse again, can I have revision surgery?
The cause is identified first. Revision surgery is offered free of charge if it is within 7 years of the first operation and the examination shows that revision is possible.
When should I take out my contact lenses?
Soft lenses need to be out for at least 5 days and hard lenses for at least 7 days for the measurements to be accurate. Take them out before you leave home.
Can international patients have surgery here?
Yes. The clinic is registered as a medical institution for foreign patients (M-2021-01-08-6311), and the consultation languages on that registration are Korean, English and Chinese.
How much does it cost?
It depends on your test results and the method, and fees for international patients are given after consultation.