“Dr. Lukin’s eye clinic” starts offering especially gentle laser vision correction

“Dr. Lukin’s eye clinic” has started offering laser vision correction surgery, which is distinguished by a particularly gentle approach, as only the upper layer of the cornea is affected during the procedure, thus significantly reducing possible complications for the patient.

A procedure known as Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is a very advanced way to perform photorefractive keratectomy, or laser reshaping of the cornea. It uses sophisticated excimer lasers that are able to optimally adjust the course of the procedure to transform the front surface of the cornea and improve vision.

New technology in Latvia

“This ASA Streamlight technology provided by the ophthalmology laser equipment manufacturer “Alcon”, which is new in Latvia – we start offering it in May – guarantees a particularly high degree of safety for patients, as it is very minimally invasive,” explains “Dr. Head of Lukin’s Eye Clinic, Felix Lukin. “This approach, where only the top layer of the cornea is affected, instead of creating a cap as in LASIK, minimizes risks and possible complications in the post-operative period. The corneal structure is affected as little as possible.”

According to the experienced doctor, without creating a corneal cap, all the theoretical risks associated with the operation become even smaller. “The laser beam carefully touches only the top layer of the cornea, and then the necessary correction is made by grinding with the laser beam. After that, we put in a contact lens for protection, but epithelial cells grow over the surgical site,” F. Lukins explains the course of the procedure.

Some eye clinics in the world have completely switched to the ASA Streamlight method, however, it has a relatively higher price, so in many places, including in Latvia, several laser vision correction techniques are available in parallel. “Dr. “Lūkina” eye clinic is the only one in Latvia that uses the technologies of the world leader in ophthalmic equipment “Alcon”.

Although the accuracy and long-term results of ASA and LASIK are virtually identical, the ASA Streamlight approach is especially recommended for some patients with very thin corneas, patients who have had prior LASIK surgery, or those who engage in high-contact activities.

ASA Streamlight benefits and how it works

1. Anesthesia drops
2. Removal of the outer epithelium
3. Laser grinding
4. Healing of the corneal surface

Advanced surface ablation is a minimally invasive, no-touch procedure, making the process more comfortable and reducing the risk of complications. A specialized laser is used to simultaneously remove the corneal epithelium and perform corneal ablation. This reduces the time and discomfort associated with removing the epithelium.
ASA Streamlight has several advantages over the traditional approach, including:

• no surgical blade required;
• shorter procedure time;
• less discomfort during the procedure;
• minimized risk of complications;
• faster recovery time;
• suitable for patients with a thin cornea or an irregular corneal shape.

ASA Streamlight process step by step

Eye examination and preparation

Before the procedure, the specialist carefully examines the patient’s eyes to make sure that the person is suitable for the procedure and gives instructions on how to prepare for the operation.

Anesthesia drops

On the day of the procedure, anesthetic eye drops are given to numb the surface of the eye. These drops help ensure that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.

Removal of the epithelium

The surgeon then uses a specialized laser to remove the outer layer of the cornea – the corneal epithelium. This step is painless and only takes a few seconds.

Corneal ablation

After the epithelium is removed, the surgeon uses the same laser to reshape the cornea by removing a small amount of tissue. This step only takes a few minutes, depending on the severity of the vision problem.

Protective contact lens

After corneal ablation, a protective contact lens will be placed on the eye to promote healing and moisturization of the eye. After a few days, the doctor will remove this lens.

Aftercare instructions

The specialist provides detailed aftercare instructions, including how to use prescription eye drops to prevent infection and promote healing. For a few weeks after the procedure, you should avoid rubbing your eyes and engaging in activities that can strain your eyes, such as swimming.

Recovery time

Recovery time after the ASA Streamlight procedure varies from patient to patient, but most patients see improvement within a few days to a week after the procedure. However, it may take several weeks or even months for vision to fully stabilize. The specialist monitors the progress at follow-up visits to make sure the eyes are healing properly.