New Vision Laser Center   New Vision Laser Center
 
 
 
Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA)

ASA is an improved Laser Vision Correction technique that combines the advantages of PRK and LASIK.  ASA is ideal for treating patients with thin corneas since it removes about thirty-five percent less tissue than LASIK. Treating the surface of the cornea can produce a more predictable outcome for wavefront guided “Custom” Laser vision correction. Other advantages of ASA include: earlier visual recovery, less postoperative discomfort and haze, less risk of complication associated with traditional LASIK, and less risk of extended postoperative dry eye problems.
 
PRK removes the epithelium (the front skin of the eye) with either a laser or a special brush. Once removed, the surface of the eye is treated with the laser. After the procedure, a bandage contact lens is placed on the eye for a few days while the epithelium slowly regenerates itself.
 
LASEK uses alcohol to remove the epithelium.  Once removed, the surface of the eye is treated with the laser.  After the procedure, a bandage contact lens is placed on the eye for a few days while the epithelium slowly regenerates itself. The use of alcohol kills the epithelial cells and causes mild to severe swelling of the cornea that results in discomfort, light sensitivity, and a slower return to functional vision. Traditional LASIK uses a microkeratome blade to create a flap that is hinged to one side prior to the laser treatment. The thickness of the flap can eliminate those patients as a candidate who have thinner than average corneas or higher amounts of myopia.