EPI-LASIK

Epi-LASIK may be a solution for those who don’t qualify for traditional LASIK.

Sight for sore eyes

Suffering under the weight of your glasses? Contacts popping out at all the wrong times? If you're tired of vision correction band-aids and want something more permanent to help you see clearly, the latest refractive surgery is in plain sight. Many doctors are now performing Epi-LASIK, such as Dr. Bruckner of Augusta, Georgia and Dr. Robbins in Rochester, New York. If you're not a candidate for a standard LASIK procedure, but you're ready to discard your bulky visual aids, epi-LASIK may be the solution for you. Ask your laser eye surgeon if epi-LASIK is right for your eyes.

What is Epi-LASIK?

Epi-LASIK is short for Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis. This surgical procedure generates an even better outcome as other laser-guided corrective eye procedures, but is customized for people with special conditions such as thin corneas, large pupils or dry eyes. This advanced procedure combines the best facets of two traditional laser vision correction techniques–LASIK and PRK. Both procedures create a flap of the cornea or epithelium, the cornea's outer most surface, to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism via laser. Epi-LASIK achieves the same results while maintaining the integrity of the cornea, giving those with special circumstances a safer route to contacts–or glasses–free vision.

Epi-LASIK Step one

The laser eye surgeon uses a precise instrument called an epikeratome to separate the edge of the epithelium (the outer cornea) and fold a flap back out of the way. (Dr. Robbins outlines the procedure in great detail.)

Epi-LASIK Step two

Using an excimer laser, the laser eye surgeon then sculpts the newly exposed surface corneal tissue to correct vision.

Epi-LASIK Step three

Finally, the epithelial flap is gently folded back on the eye with a spatula-like instrument and begins healing.

Is Epi-LASIK right for me?

It's possible that you may not qualify for Epi-LASIK and a traditional LASIK procedure will give you the most ideal results. However, if your laser eye surgeon detects that your corneas are naturally too thin, flat or steep, Epi-LASIK could be the solution for you. If your professional or leisure activities put you at risk for injury to the eye or you are wary of the surgical blades used to score the deep cornea during LASIK, Epi-LASIK is an option worth discussing. Other candidates include those with large pupils or dry eye syndrome.Ask your laser eye surgeon if Epi-LASIK is right for you!

This article about Epi-LASIK has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.