Epi-Lasik: Risk, Procedure and After Surgery
Epi-Lasik
stands for Epithelial Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis.
This procedure is a product of evolution of laser eye
surgery. It is an advance type of corneal surface ablation
for refractive error corrections. Besides lowering the
chance of having a dry eye syndrome, it also minimizes the
possibility of flap complications and less pain involved in
the patient. It was developed to resolve the potential problems
and side effects encountered in both LASEK and Lasik. The
potential risk for Lasik procedure is that it might cut out
a thick cornea flap. While for LASEK, though only an
epithelial flap is created, the risk lies on the fine blade
used to cut out the cornea’s outer layer.
The Epi-Lasik
Procedure is
same as the procedure for LASEK. The difference lies on the type of
blade used in separating the epithelium. The Epi-Lasik utilizes
a blunt plastic blade referred to as the epithelial separator. This
process will separate the sheet from eyes without the use of
alcohol, unlike in LASEK. Hence, the possibility of any
alcohol reaction which will lead to the killing of the
epithelial cells is minimal. After the epithelial flap is
created and folded out of the way, an Excimer laser is used
to sculpt the underlying corneal tissue. The repositioning
of the epithelial flap on the eye as in LASEK will conclude
the procedure.
After the
surgery, a
contact lens which is very oxygen-permeable is put on the
eye for a few days to fix the flap while it
re-epithelializes.
You cannot expect an instant
perfect vision after the surgery. Some patients may take
only three days for the desired result but some might
require up to six months. It is advisable to
follow the doctor’s instructions, medication and
treatment after the surgery. The quality of your corrected
vision depends very much on how well your cornea heals.
Some risks
are
involved in this procedure. The
common complications may include over or under correction, visual
acuity fluctuation, halo effect or starburst around light
sources, off center vision, corneal haze, epithelial erosion
and loss of epithelial flap.
Who is the best
candidate for Epi-Lasik?
This procedure is recommended for patients with thin corneas
and has minimal tissue for a good Lasik flap. It is also a
good alternative for patients who have occupations or
hobbies that will pose a higher possibility of being hit in
the eye such as soldiers, boxers and etc. This is because it
eliminates the chance of having a displaced flap.
