Advanced surface ablation is necessary for people with irregular cornea. It’s a correction procedure that eliminates the need to wear glasses or contact lenses.
According to the Statistics on Eye Disease in America, astigmatism occurs in about one out of every three people in the United States. Fortunately, if you are suffering from myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, you can use corrective eyewear such as prescription glasses or contact lenses for improved vision.
Also, advanced technology can permanently reshape the cornea’s curvature, correcting refractive errors and eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is an advanced technology that many patients and doctors prefer for accuracy.
ASA can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in individuals with thin corneas and specific other eye characteristics. Though barely known, ASA is an excellent option for patients with particular vision correction needs. This surface ablation technique predates Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), providing thousands of people freedom from glasses and contacts.
What is Advanced Surface Ablation?
ASA is a more progressive form of Photorefractive keratectomy and a routine Laser Vision Correction procedure that eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses. The name may differ depending on the facility you visit, but almost all ASA patients receive the same advanced technology as LASIK patients.
The only slight difference occurs during the first step of the procedure. During a LASIK procedure, the surgeon fills a corneal flap with diluted alcohol. ASA operation doesn’t involve the creation of a corneal flap because, often, the cornea is too thin or the creation of a flap is undesirable.
Advanced surface ablation thus uses the superficial self-healing corneal layer. Your ophthalmologist will remove the epithelium, then sculpt the cornea to correct the refractive error. If you are short-sighted and uncomfortable with the corneal flap, this new flapless keyhole procedure will restore your vision without contact lenses.
What’s the Difference Between ASA and LASIK?
The significant difference between the two procedures is the creation of a flap. LASIK procedure involves the creation of a flap in the corneal surface. The surgeon then returns the flap to allow a laser to reshape the cornea. The procedure replaces the flap and corrects vision.
ASA procedure, however, exposes the cornea via a process called surface ablation. The surgery removes a very thin segment of the eye’s outer epithelial layer to expose the cornea. Removing the layer is necessary for reshaping the cornea using a laser to improve your vision.
Thus, surface ablation is the most appropriate if you have a thin cornea. It doesn’t penetrate as deeply into the eye’s surface as the LASIK.
Advanced Surface Ablation: The Procedure
- Your surgeon will use a small speculum to hold the eye open painlessly. S/he then applies a drop of anesthetic to the eye.
- An anesthetic drop numbs the eye to minimize the pain while putting a small ring on the corneal surface. The ring is filled with a few drops of an alcohol solution that eases the removal of the surface cell layer.
- S/he removes a thin epithelial layer with the help of the alcohol solution.
- The surgeon then reshapes your cornea to correct your vision.
- After the operation, the epithelial layer grows back in a week or two.
Generally, the differences between ASA and LASIK are minor because each procedure aims to improve your visual acuity by reshaping the cornea. ASA operation is done on an outpatient basis because each eye’s treatment time is short. In most cases, the procedure lasts for approximately ten minutes.
What to Expect After ASA Operation?
Advanced Surface Ablation has almost the same effects as the LASIK procedure. The most noticeable difference is the healing period. ASA patients take relatively longer to heal. Also, ASA operation should be done on one eye at a time.
Depending on your doctor and your health condition, s/he may recommend a waiting period between a week to a month between eyes. Operating on one eye at a time helps patients to remain functional throughout healing. If you have one of your eyes operated on, it would help if you got glasses or wore a contact lens.
Most doctors recommend that Advanced Surface Ablation patients wear a contact lens during the first five to eight days of healing. As a precaution, you shouldn’t touch the lens. Your doctor will handle putting the lens in and taking the lens out.
How Do I Know I’m the Right Candidate for Advanced Surface Ablation?
If you have thin corneas, loose skin on the corneas, glaucoma, or corneal dystrophy, ASA may be an excellent alternative to LASIK. In addition, an ASA candidate must be over 18 years old and maintain a stable eye prescription for over a year.
Further, ASA is for you if you can’t have LASIK because of certain corneal dystrophies yet want to improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Your doctor will let you know if you fit the criteria for an ASA procedure by considering all the relevant factors.
What’s the Cost of the ALA Procedure?
The cost of any vision correction procedure will depend on several factors, including your unique specific needs. Your doctor should always take the time to explain what they propose for your procedure and the associated costs.
Your doctor may suggest you bring the following before the procedure:
- Any prescription glasses that you wear
- Sunglasses or a hat to protect your eyes from dilation after your treatment. Dilation may cause sensitivity to light and blurred vision. Also, dilated eyes may make it difficult to read or drive for four hours after your treatment.
- A list of current medications and details of your medical history
Takeaway
The latest techniques and technologies allow for the effective correction of your vision. Advanced Surface Ablation is safer than LASIK If you have a thin cornea because it doesn’t penetrate deeply. After the procedure, you will return to the clinic after a few days to check your progress.
Your eye surgeons at Anaheim Eye Institute will review you during this visit and advise you appropriately.
