Gailey Eye Clinic

Not everybody is a good candidate for LASIK, but that does not mean they cannot have vision correction. Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is an alternative way of using a laser to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It is an improved version of what used to be called PRK, standing for Photorefractive Keratectomy.

ASA Candidates
If you have thinner-than-average corneas, ASA might be an excellent choice for you. Or you may have thick enough corneas for LASIK, but if your lifestyle includes contact sports or any risk of eye trauma in your occupation, you may be a better candidate for ASA.

How ASA Works
ASA uses the same top-quality Allegretto WaveLight Eye-Q laser that LASIK uses, but prepares your eyes for treatment in a different way. To protect your relatively thin corneas, the top corneal layer, known as the epithelium, is gently removed with a spatula-like implement and a sponge. This allows the laser to correct your vision on the middle corneal layer, the stroma, which is stable and will retain the new shape.

Dr. Lockhart will place a therapeutic contact lens over the treated area, allowing the corneal epithelium to regrow and heal during the next three to ten days. He will give you printed instructions for how to care for yourself during recovery. It is important to follow them exactly for best results.

If you would like to know more about the options for laser vision correction, and which procedure would be best for you, please call or email Gailey Eye Clinic to schedule a personal consultation.