Pneumo(Epi)-LASEK

At Park Avenue LASEK, your safety and comfort are our top priorities. We’re always looking for ways to improve vision correction, and Dr. Chynn has developed Pneumo-LASEK as the most modern and safest form of laser vision correction available today. Formerly known as Epi-LASEK, Pneumo-LASEK builds on the success of LASEK, removing the need for traditional separators and reducing both recovery times and the risk of complications.

Dr. Chynn has performed more Pneumo-LASEK procedures than anyone else in the world. With over a decade of experience in refining this method, Dr. Chynn genuinely believes it’s the best option available. Here’s why, in his own words:

“I performed around 1,000 PRK procedures from 1997-2000. PRK involves manually scraping away the epithelium, causing significant pain, delayed healing, and a risk of scarring, which can lead to vision loss. If any surgeon suggests PRK today, you might want to look elsewhere.”

“Between 1997 and 2004, I performed approximately 5,000 LASIK procedures and even had LASIK on my own left eye in 1999, making me the first eye surgeon in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut to undergo LASIK. However, because LASIK requires cutting a corneal flap, it kills many corneal nerves, leading to permanent mild dryness in 90% of patients and severe dryness in 1-3%. Since the flap never fully heals, mild night vision issues persist in 90% of LASIK patients, and 1-2% experience severe night vision problems. Any LASIK patient faces the risk of flap displacement if their eye is hit. Over time, after experiencing moderate dry eyes and severe night glare myself, I ethically couldn’t continue performing LASIK, so I stopped in 2004.”

“From 2004 to today, I’ve performed over 15,000 LASEK procedures. Developed at Harvard by two colleagues, we published our findings together in 1997. LASEK is less painful and heals much faster than PRK, with recovery in about five days (compared to PRK’s 2-4 weeks). LASEK also avoids the risks of permanent dry eyes or night glare associated with LASIK. I’ve now performed more LASEK procedures than any other U.S. surgeon.”

“In addition, I’ve performed nearly 10,000 Pneumo-LASEK (Epi-LASEK) procedures. I helped develop and popularize this advanced method, to the extent that I advocated for it to be renamed Pneumo-LASEK instead of Epi-LASIK because it’s more similar to LASEK than LASIK. Pneumo-LASEK uses an epi-keratome and a suction ring, so alcohol isn’t needed to separate the epithelium from the cornea, making recovery even faster than LASEK—around three days. In 2010, I published a paper showing that healing is quicker without replacing the epithelium layer. To demonstrate Pneumo-LASEK’s safety, I even chose it for myself in 2020 for my dominant right eye. This procedure is truly the safest and most advanced option available today.”