Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK)

Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty is performed through the use of a microkeratome.

For nearsightedness, the microkeratome makes one pass across the top of the cornea, lifting a very thin portion, leaving it attached like in LASIK. However, instead of using the Excimer Laser to remove the cornea underneath to correct the refractive error, the surgeon makes an additional pass with the microkeratome to remove the predetermined amount of cornea. The corneal flap is then replaced.

For farsightedness, only one pass is made, allowing pressure within the eye to change the shape of the cornea and reduce the farsightedness. Patients who undergo ALK can experience moderate discomfort and visual stability occurs after a moderate amount of time.

ALK is a procedure that was developed to correct moderate to high degrees of nearsightedness and moderate degrees of farsightedness.