I'm Asian and considering laser eye surgery. Is there anything different about how Asian eyes are treated, or any special considerations I should know about before my procedure?
A: Yes, and it’s one of the things that sets my practice apart. My center is the only one in NYC that specializes in Asian eyes, and here’s specifically what I do differently:
- Tissue-sparing approach for extreme myopia. Asian eyes more commonly have extreme myopia, so I use a “tissue sparing algorithm” with a laser brand that removes the least amount of tissue per diopter of correction. This leaves you with a thicker, stronger cornea.
- Built-in overcorrection for long-term stability. Asian eyes are more prone to myopic progression over time. In some cases, I’ll intentionally overcorrect your current prescription so you see 20/20 not just for a couple of years, but for the long run.
- Lifestyle-adjusted treatment planning. Asian patients are statistically more likely to spend heavy hours on computers, read extensively, or pursue graduate school. I factor these lifestyle patterns into my laser treatment nomogram to tailor your outcome to how you’ll actually use your eyes.
- Specialized equipment for eye anatomy. Asian eyes tend to have smaller palpebral fissures (the opening between the eyelids). I use an open loop speculum instead of the closed loop speculum I use on non-Asian patients, which gives better exposure and makes the surgery easier and safer.
I’d love to go over all of this in more detail when we meet in person. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
— Dr. Chynn
