Only Non-Cutting Center

Only Center That Takes Medical Insurance

Only Surgeon to Laser Himself

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Park Avenue LASEK

LASEK & LASIK Eye
Surgery NYC

If you are seeking a place to undergo LASEK & LASIK Eye Surgery in NYC, Park Avenue LASEK is your top laser vision correction center. Unlike LASIK, LASEK is a non-invasive surgery that does not involve cutting into the delicate layers of your eyes.

As a result, you do not put your eyes at risk of the flap complications that have always been associated with LASIK, the older form of surgical vision correction. Read on to take a good look at why we are your best choice for LASEK. Other Centers claim they are the safest – only one center can be the safest – and that center is ours – because we are the ONLY center that will NOT CUT YOUR CORNEA to fix your prescription!

Dr. Chynn was an undergraduate at Dartmouth College and attended medical school at Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons (typically ranked the #1 medical school in New York State).

He completed his residency at the world-famous Harvard University’s Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, where he was on the teaching faculty of Harvard Medical School.

After Harvard, Dr. Chynn could have gone out and performed refractive surgery (like many doctors in NYC who never completed a fellowship). Instead, he chose to spend an additional year completing a full fellowship in Corneal Transplantation & Refractive Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, under George Waring, MD, who introduced RK and LASIK to the US. Book an appointment here or give us a call at (212) 741-8628

Why Choose Us?

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Most Experienced Eye Surgeon In The US

Dr. Chynn’s graduated from Harvard, Columbia, Emory, Dartmouth and NYU and has performed 1,000 PRKs, 5,000 LASIKs, 10,000 epiLASEKs, 15,000 LASEKs – more than any surgeon in the US.
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100% Non-Cutting with No Flap Complications

LASEK is the most modern way to perform laser vision correction. Because it’s 100% non-cutting and 100% non-invasive, it’s 10x safer than LASIK. Dr. Chynn is the only surgeon in the world who has LASIK in one eye & LASEK in the other.

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Medical & Vision
Insurance Accepted

Park Avenue LASEK is the only LASIK, LASEK, PRK and SMILE provider in NY, NJ, CT or PA who is authorized for all major medical insurance plans including GHI, Oxford, Cigna, BCBS, Emblem, Empire, Medicare, and Oscar (among others), as well as all major vision insurance plans, including VSP and EyeMed.

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PRK vs LASIK vs SMILE vs LASEK Comparison

Comparison Table: PRK vs. LASIK vs. SMILE vs. LASEK

Comparing PRK, LASIK, SMILE, and LASEK can help you understand which laser eye surgery option may be the best fit for your eyes, lifestyle, and goals. Many patients are surprised to learn that flap-free procedures like LASEK may be especially worth considering for thin corneas, dry eye concerns, contact sports, and more complex cases.

Feature PRK LASIK SMILE LASEK
Procedure Surface laser vision correction. The outer epithelial layer is removed and the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser. A corneal flap is created, then the cornea underneath is reshaped with a laser before the flap is repositioned. A small lenticule is created inside the cornea and removed through a small incision, without creating a large flap. Advanced surface-based laser vision correction. The epithelium is gently loosened, moved aside, laser treatment is performed, and the surface is replaced.
Flap Creation No corneal flap. Yes. A permanent corneal flap is created. No large flap, but a small corneal incision is made. No stromal flap. This is one reason many patients interested in flap-free vision correction ask about LASEK.
Suitable For Patients who want a flap-free procedure and accept slower early recovery. Patients who prioritize rapid recovery and are good LASIK candidates on exam. Selected patients with certain prescriptions, usually for myopia with or without some astigmatism. Strong option for thin corneas, dry eye concerns, active lifestyles, contact sports, and borderline LASIK candidates.
Recovery Time Usually slower early healing than LASIK or SMILE. Usually the fastest recovery, often within 1–2 days for many patients. Often quick recovery, though recovery experience varies by patient. Usually a few days slower than LASIK or SMILE, but many patients feel the flap-free tradeoff is worth it.
Comfort More early discomfort during surface healing. Often minimal early discomfort. Often mild to moderate early discomfort. Surface healing can cause short-term discomfort, but many patients choose it because of the benefits of avoiding a LASIK flap.
Dry Eye Concerns May be preferable to LASIK in some dry eye situations. Can be less ideal in some patients prone to dryness. May be associated with less dryness than LASIK in some patients, though candidacy is narrower. Commonly considered when dry eye is a concern and when a surgeon wants to preserve a flap-free approach.
Athletes Often considered because there is no flap. Some patients prefer to avoid flap-related considerations in contact sports. May be an option for selected athletes, depending on candidacy. Strong option for boxing, martial arts, military, and active patients who want flap-free vision correction.
Why Choose It They want a proven flap-free option. They want convenience and speed. They want a small-incision alternative and qualify for it. They want a more conservative, flap-free laser eye surgery option without defaulting to LASIK.
LASEK
Procedure
Advanced surface-based laser vision correction. The epithelium is gently loosened, moved aside, laser treatment is performed, and the surface is replaced.
Flap
No stromal flap. This is one reason many patients interested in flap-free vision correction ask about LASEK.
Recovery
Usually a few days slower than LASIK or SMILE, but many patients feel the flap-free tradeoff is worth it.
Dry Eye
Commonly considered when dry eye is a concern and when a surgeon wants to preserve a flap-free approach.
Best For
Thin corneas, dry eye concerns, active lifestyles, contact sports, and borderline LASIK candidates.
LASIK
Procedure
A corneal flap is created, then the cornea underneath is reshaped with a laser before the flap is repositioned.
Flap
Yes. A permanent corneal flap is created.
Recovery
Usually the fastest recovery, often within 1–2 days for many patients.
Dry Eye
Can be less ideal in some patients prone to dryness.
Best For
Patients who prioritize rapid recovery and are good LASIK candidates on exam.
PRK
Procedure
Surface laser vision correction. The outer epithelial layer is removed and the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser.
Flap
No corneal flap.
Recovery
Usually slower early healing than LASIK or SMILE.
Dry Eye
May be preferable to LASIK in some dry eye situations.
Best For
Patients who want a flap-free procedure and accept slower early recovery.
SMILE
Procedure
A small lenticule is created inside the cornea and removed through a small incision, without creating a large flap.
Flap
No large flap, but a small corneal incision is made.
Recovery
Often quick recovery, though recovery experience varies by patient.
Dry Eye
May be associated with less dryness than LASIK in some patients, though candidacy is narrower.
Best For
Selected patients with certain prescriptions, usually for myopia with or without some astigmatism.

Important: This comparison is for general educational purposes only. The best procedure depends on your prescription, corneal thickness, dryness, eye health, lifestyle, and surgeon evaluation. A consultation is the best way to determine whether PRK, LASIK, SMILE, or LASEK may be appropriate for you.

Not sure which procedure fits your eyes?

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We Want You To See Better Than 20/20

Get LASEK, LASIK, PRK or SMILE for as low as $99/mo!*

*Your monthly contact and glasses expenses could cover the cost of LASEK.
It might even be FREE for you.

Approved as a Top Doctor by NY Top Docs

Best LASIK Eye Surgeon in New York City - 2023

Best LASIK Eye Surgeon in New York City - 2024

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Meet Our World-Class Team

Read The REAL Reviews
For 20/20 Vision

Read The REAL Reviews For 20/20 Vision

Why Patients Choose LASEK & LASIK Eye Surgery NYC

Our Financing Partners

See the Possibilities Clearly: Affordable Financing Options
Available for Your Eye Surgery Journey!

See the Possibilities Clearly: Affordable Financing Options Available for Your Eye Surgery Journey

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Watch our Video Testimonials, Post-op interviews and Procedure Videos.​
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Watch our Video Testimonials, Post-op interviews and Procedure Videos.​

We Want You To See Better Than 20/20

Ready for your Free Consultation?

Get Directions to Park Avenue LASEK

102 E 25th St, New York, NY 10010

Emil Chynn, MD, MBA, FACS

ASK DR. CHYNN!

Get ONE question answered for FREE by our famous Harvard-trained surgeon who's been featured on Discovery Channel & CNN

Dr. Chynn graduated from Dartmouth + Columbia + Harvard + Emory + NYU & has been on ABC, NBC, CBS & in the NY Times & Wall St. Journal

He’s performed 40,000 LASIK, SMILE, PRK, LASEK, & ICLs. He’s the ONLY eye surgeon in the US who’s had both LASIK & LASEK himself, so knows the pluses & minuses of each!

Dr. Chynn specializes in treating cases which don’t qualify for LASIK, including:

• extreme prescriptions
• thin corneas
• astigmatism
• need for reading glasses

See other Real Patient Questions that Dr. Chynn has answered! Ask Dr Chynn 

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