Epi-LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

    Introduction to Epi-LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

Epi-LASIK is another method of using laser eye surgery to correct vision problems. It is normally used on patients whose corneas are considered to thin for normal LASIK surgery.

Epi-LASIK is very similar to LASEK but instead of using dilute alcohol to loosen an epithelial flap cut by a trephane blade, the procedure uses a hand held device,  similar to the microkeratome blade used in the LASIK procedure, to create a thin flap of the corneal epithelium.  The eye is reshaped using the Excimer laser and the epithelial flap is replaced and held by a bandage contact lens for several days.

People who undergo the Epi-LASIK procedure may experience some post-operative discomfort, but it is reportedly less than people who have had LASEK or PRK laser eye surgery. The resultant improvement in vision following the Epi-LASIK procedure is comparable to that achieved by LASIK, PRK or LASEK.

  Are you suitable for an EPI-LASIK surgery?

Epi-LASIK surgery is not suitable for everyone although it may be considered a better option should you not be suitable for LASIK surgery. It should be considered by people with thin corneas or those without enough tissue to create a flap. Epi-LASIK surgery is particularly suitable for those that are in occupations where eyes are subject to trauma such as boxers, football players and athletes.

    What happens before Epi-LASIK surgery?

Prior to having Epi-LASIK surgery your doctor needs to establish suitability. This is normally done during a thorough examination of your eyes where he will determine the best way to correct your vision.

Corneal cameras will be used to take photographs of your eye and map the cornea. These will help identify any irregularities including the flatness or steepness that must be revised in order to have clear vision.

    How is the Epi-LASIK procedure performed?

During the Epi-LASIK procedure, the flap of epithelial skin is cut as thinly as possible using a blunt plastic oscillating blade.

The hinge of the flap is retained on the eye.

An epithelial separator is used to separate the epithelial sheet from the eye in the Epi-LASIK method.

After the epithelial flap has been created it is carefully lifted and folded back.

This give the surgeon room to work on the surface of the cornea that was beneath the flap.

An Excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea’s tissue and once this has been completed the epithelial flap is gently replaced using a  spatula like tool.

To keep the epithelium securely in place, a bandage contact lens is applied.

Three or four days later (after the epithelium has  reattached to the eye), the bandage contact lens is removed

You will still experience pain with Epi-LASIK surgery but this can be controlled with painkillers.

 

    What happens after the Epi-LASIK surgery?

About three days after the procedure your doctor may advise that the bandage contact lens may be removed. Your vision will not be perfect right away although you should be able to drive after about  week.  Following the Epi-LASIK procedure, your eyes may feel slightly blurry, itchy or watery.

Your doctor should prescribe pain killers or eye drops to help the pain and alleviate any discomfort. To help the healing process you will be told to wear eye patches at night whilst you sleep.

You should be able to see straight after the operation although your vision will not be completely clear. It may take one or two months for your eye to repair fully and for your eyesight to completely stabilize.

Your doctor will check you out after a couple of days to ensure that your eyes are healing as they should be. This will be followed by regular visits to the doctor over the next six months to ensure you are making good progress and that any complications are treated quickly.

Your doctor may also advise that you to continue cleaning your eye lashes for a reasonable time after the operation. Swimming and using hot tubs, whirlpools and saunas should also avoided for a couple of months.

Physical sports involving contact should be avoided for at least the first month after the operation. It is very important to ensure that you shield your eyes from any sort of damage.

    Risks and Complications of Epi-LASIK Treatment

As with LASIK and other types of refractive surgery, there are risks and possible complications associated with Epi-LASIK laser eye surgery and you should be aware of what these might be prior to embarking on treatment.

If insufficient tissue is removed from the eye during surgery then the improvement to your vision may not be as good as you expected. There is a higher chance of under-correction if you are nearsighted which could lead to you needing further surgery within a short period of time to properly correct the condition.

If excessive tissue is removed from your eye then again the results may not be as good as you had expected as your eyesight may have become over corrected. This is significantly harder to correct than to little tissue being removed.

You may experience the feeling that your eyes feel dry for the first six months. This can normally be alleviated by your doctor prescribing eye drops. In severe cases you may need another procedure that inserts plugs into your tear ducts that will help keep your eyes moist.

If the tissue removed during surgery was uneven then you may develop astigmatism. This complication can  arise if your eye moves excessively during surgery but can be remedied by a further procedure.

Further complications that you might experience are a difficulty in seeing at night, seeing halos, sensitivity to glare, and double vision. These may be remedied by the use of eye drops or a further operation may be more appropriate

Compared with Lasik, there may be a slightly increased risk of eye infection, possible scarring and unpredictable  corneal healing following Epi-LASIK surgery, but serious complications are rare.