LASEK removes the outer cornea with a laser, so the surgery is done in one stage and finishes faster than LASIK. However, recovery takes at least a week and progresses slowly, and it comes with pain,, (the painless LASEK and 2-day LASEK that are advertised a lot these days do seem to have faster recovery) and there is the inconvenience of having to use steroid eye drops for over 3 months. (For the 7 days wearing the protective lens, water must not get into the eyes.) On the other hand, it has the advantage of being strong against physical impact.
This review is a surgical review pursuing reconstruction.