LASIK Eye Center of Silicon Valley - Dr. Gary Kawesch

No, vision correction done with a laser is not painful. We first give you numbing eyedrops and make you comfortable on the patient bed that is part of the Custom LASIK hardware. You will feel only a slight sensation of pressure some of the time.

In addition to the more popular LASIK procedure, we also perform both LASEK and PRK procedures at our San Francisco, California ophthalmology office. Much like LASIK, PRK and LASEK both use lasers to reshape the cornea for vision correction, but there are differences between the three:

• LASIK-A small flap is created in the cornea and is folded back. The laser then reshapes the underlying corneal layers, and the flap is replaced.
  
• LASEK-A flap is created in the epithelium, which is a very thin layer of cells on the outermost part of the cornea. The laser corrects the shape of the cornea, and the thin flap is replaced so the cornea can heal.
  
• PRK-The epithelium is completely removed so that the laser can correct the shape of the cornea. This layer of cells will grow back after the procedure.
  

All three of these procedures are completely safe. Recovery after LASIK is usually short and easy, involving use of moisturizing eyedrops to deal with the temporary feeling of grittiness. As the corneas heal that feeling fades away.

Recovery after LASEK and PRK takes longer because corneal cells must regrow. For about two weeks you will need to wear a contact lens “bandage” to promote healing. We will monitor your recovery closely and any discomfort can be soothed by a prescription painkiller.

To learn more about the LASEK and PRK procedures, you can visit our Differences between PRK, LASEK, and Epi-LASIK page.

If you are currently wearing glasses or contacts and are interested in correcting your vision with any of our laser vision correction options, please call or email the Laser Vision Center of Silicon Valley today to schedule your personal consultation.