Have you been told in the past that you were not a LASIK candidate? LASIK is an excellent option for many people, but there are several other ways to correct vision. It is important to customize the solution for each individual person. At Kugler Vision our goal is for you to live a life without the barriers of glasses and contact lenses, and we offer a full range of solutions to achieve that goal. One of the alternatives to LASIK is ASA.
ASA
Like LASIK, Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA), also known as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), is a refractive procedure. It corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. ASA was actually developed several years before LASIK and has an established history for safety and efficiency. It has been performed in the United States since 1995 with a very high success rate and has undergone advancements throughout the years. Today, it is still commonly performed and is the treatment of choice in certain circumstances when patients are not LASIK candidates.
Like LASIK, ASA reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser. This reshaping allows light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina for clear vision. The key difference between ASA and LASIK is that no corneal flap is required during ASA. LASIK surgery requires a thin, hinged flap to be created on the cornea to access the treatment area. In contrast, ASA does not involve the creation of a flap. Instead, the epithelium is gently removed and the laser is applied to the outer surface.
In both refractive procedures, the excimer laser then corrects your refractive error. You will be awake during the procedure, which typically lasts less than 10 minutes. ASA is performed on each eye separately, usually on the same day during the same procedure. ASA typically has a longer recovery time than LASIK. The recovery time lasts approximately 48-72 hours post procedure, which in the grand scheme of things is a very short recovery period for surgery! The slightly longer recovery period is due to the epithelial cells having to regenerate over the surface of the eye. Although the procedure is different, the outcome is the same– improved vision for a life without barriers!
ASA Advantages:
- less depth of laser treatment
- suitable for patients with a thin cornea
ASA is an excellent alternative to LASIK if you have thin corneas or another reason for not being eligible for LASIK. Both surgeries are effective, safe, and have an extremely high patient satisfaction rate.
Is ASA Right for You?
Kugler Vision has skilled doctors who specialize in laser vision correction. They can help you make the best decision for your eyes. We are dedicated to providing you a life without barriers! Please contact us here or text or call 402.430.6302 to find out what the best procedure is for your eyes!
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
