Epi-LASIK

How Epi-LASIK Works

Epi-LASIK surgery takes 10 to 15 minutes to perform.  The patient is given a mild sedative to help them relax.  Numbing drops are used to anesthetize the eye and an instrument called a speculum is inserted under the lids to keep the eye open.  Dr. Chesen uses an oscillating plastic "blade" to gently separate the epithelium (top layer of the cornea) from the cornea beneath.  Once it is removed, a laser reshapes the cornea to correct the patient's vision.

After this correction is done, a special contact lens is placed over the eye to act as a Band-Aid.  For the next few days the bandage lens will stay in place and the patient may experience irritation, watery eyes, and the sensation of a foreign body in the eye.  

Epi-LASIK vs PRK

Epi-LASIK offers a faster visual recovery than with PRK, averaging three to five days as opposed to PRK, which often takes five to seven days for visual recovery to occur.

Both PRK and Epi-LASIK treat the surface of the cornea.

Epi-LASIK also does not utilize alcohol in the surgical process like PRK does. 

Differences between LASIK and Epi-LASIK

In LASIK surgery, a flap is made in the cornea with a blade or laser.  Epi-LASIK surgery is gentler on the cornea.   Because it is less invasive, it is possible to achieve good results with Epi-LASIK in people whose corneas are too thin or unusually shaped, making them poor candidates for LASIK.

Standard LASIK surgery has a shorter recovery time than Epi-LASIK.  Epi-LASIK eye surgery may also be an option for those who are at risk of eye injury - police officers and athletes, for example.  This risk makes them poor candidates for standard LASIK, because a blow to the eye could dislodge the cut flap.

What to Expect After Epi-LASIK surgery

The recovery time for Epi-LASIK is a few days longer than for standard LASIK surgery.

After the surgery, you'll have a special contact lens on the eye that acts as a Band-Aid.  You will not have normal vision at this point, so be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home from you surgery.

After about three days you will be able to remove the special contact lens.  You may have nearly perfect vision at this point, or it may take several weeks to stabilize. 

During your recovery you may experience some irritation, which should be manageable with over-the-counter medications.

Epi-LASIK and Corneal Flaps

With traditional LASIK procedures, a flap is created on the cornea with a blade or a laser, depending on Dr. Chesen's choice of instruments. 

With the Epi-LASIK procedure, there is no corneal flap made.   Epi-LASIK uses an automated device that moves aside the corneal cells and the laser then treats the newly exposed cornea cells.  This corrects the vision by reshaping the cornea.

Because there is no corneal flap in Epi-LASIK, the procedure is considered a much safer alternative to LASIK when treatinig high prescriptions and thinner corneas.

Possible Complications of Epi-LASIK

The risk of vision-damaging complications of epi-LASIK is quite low, but can never be said to be zero.  Epi-LASIK surgery eliminates some of the risks of traditional LASIK, including a decreased risk of flap complications.

Epi-LASIK for Active People

With standard LASIK surgery, patients are warned not to engage in careers or sports that could result in trauma to the eye.  A blow to the eye could dislodge the flap in the cornea created during surgery, damanging the vision.

Epi-LASIK is therefore safer and more suitabale for such people, such as police officers, firefighters, boxers, soccer players, and martial arts practitioners.

It should be noted that the U.S. armed forces have restrictions on whether service members can receive any type of refractive surgery.  If you are a service member or reservist, or if you are contemplating joining the armed services, consult your health officer for information before choosing any form of surgical vision correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Epi-LASIK the next big thing?

No one knows for sure, but what is known is that Epi-LASIK is rising in popularity.

Epi-LASIK combines the best parts of LASIK and PRK.  Epi-LASIK is becoming more popular for a variety of reasons.  The recovery time is quicker and the vision restoration is said to happen faster than with other laser eye surgeries.  This, combined with very low risk factors, is making Epi-LASIK very popular with those for whom the surgery is appropriate.

Are you a candidate for Epi-LASIK?

If you have been told you cannot have LASIK surgery because of thin or abnormal corneas, or because of dry eyes, you may still be eligible for Epi-LASIK eye surgery.

However, many of the other restrictions on refractive eye surgery apply to Epi-LASIK as well.  If your eyes are unstable, if you are under 18, or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, you will most likely be advised to wait or seek other forms of vision correction.

Epi-LASIK is the treatment of choice for people who have eyes with high powers of correction needed, or who have particularly steep or flat corneas.

Fast Recovery with Epi-LASIK?

Recovery from Epi-LASIK may actually be longer than recovering from the traditional LASIK surgery but quicker than other types of laser eye surgeries.  With traditional LASIK, patients may have improved vision from the day the surgery occurs and may see significant changes the following day.

Epi-LASIK may cause more discomfort compared to traditional LASIK surgery, but the pain is mild and less than other laser eye surgeries.

 

Call our Refractive Coordinator today to schedule your complimentary screening.

610-372-2222 ext 35