Lasik Eye Surgery California : How Does Epi-LASIK Eye Surgery Works?
Have you heard of Epi-LASIK Eye Surgery? Epi-LASIK is a relatively new lasik eye surgery procedure created by Ioannis G. Pallikaris, M.D, in Greece. It is used to solve potential problems that occur with LASIK and LASEK. It is cross between the two types of eye surgery. Epi-LASIK attempts to provide the best of both LASIK and LASEK.
It involves the cutting of an ultra thin flap from the tissue known as epithelium that covers the very front of the eye’s cornea. This reduces the risk of cutting the a thick flap that comes with LASIK.
As for LASEK, the epithelium, is also cut into a thin flap. The difference between Epi-LASIK and LASEK is in Epi-LASIK, the surgeon uses a blunt, plastic oscillating blade, also known as a epikeratome, rather than LASEK’S finer blade. Moreover, toxic alcohol is not used in Epi-LASIK to lossen the epithelial sheet. Instead, the plastic blade, also known as the epithelial separator, is used to separate the sheet from the eye in Epi-LASIK. This prevents any possiblity alcohol reaction which can kill epithelial cells.
After the epithelial flap is made, it is lifted and gently folded out of the way. An excimer laser is used to sculpt the underlying corneal tissue. Then a kind of spatula is used to put the epithelial flap back on the eye. A special contact lens is placed on the eye to keep the flap in place while it re-epithelializes. The contact lens used is very oxygen-permeable, and thus prevents the possibility of the suface cells of the cornea from dying.
Also, the pain that you experience after you have Epi-LASIK eye surgery can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. This pain is significantly less than with LASIK or LASEK.
Nevertheless, Epi-LASIK is only more appropriate for people who have low myopia (less steep corneas). So if you are considering Epi-LASIK, do consult your eye doctor and seek his or her advice.









