EPI Lasik Surgery

Epi-Lasik is one of the vision correction surgeries used for laser-assisted corneal convexity treatment. It is very similar to the usual LASIK process, but involves the cutting of a very thin layer of the surface of the cornea called epithelium (the transparent part of the front of the eye) so it may be suitable for patients who have a thin cornea.

One of the advantages of the Epi-Lasik surgery, which makes it the most preferred method for many ophthalmologists, is the lack of the need to use alcohol to facilitate the separation of the surface of the cornea, as in the case of LASIK. Many ophthalmologists consider that the alcohol used has toxic effects on epithelial cells in the cornea may delay the healing period and return the patient's vision to the normal level.

Treatment in Jordan takes approximately 3 days.

Many patients may resort to undergo an Epi-Lasik operation due to the following problems:

• Myopia.
• Farsightedness.
• Aberration or astigmatism.
• To get rid of glasses or contact lenses.

Before the approval of Epi-Lasik, the patient should undergo some of the examinations required by the ophthalmologist, including:

• A comprehensive examination of the eyes, including measurement of some structures within the eye as well as examination of the level of vision.
• Double-binocular examination.
• Quantitative and qualitative examination of the layer of tears in the eyes.
• Drawing corneal topography; to know the strength and shape of the cornea.
• Wavefront measurement; to measure higher-order aberrations of vision.
• Measurement of corneal thickness.
• An accurate measurement of the pupil size.

Epi-Lasik may expose the patient to several risks, despite the high success rates of LASIK surgeries; it may carry some rare complications that the patient should be aware of, such as:

• Sensitivity to light.
• Dry Eye.
• Blurred vision.
• The need to re-perform the operation because of not achieving the required level of vision.

Epi-Lasik surgery has three main stages:

• Preparing for the surgery:

The patient is locally anesthetized through the use of a narcotic drop of the eye, and may be given intravenous sedation for further comfort during the surgery.

Before that, the patient is asked not to use contact lenses for at least two days before the epi-Lasik surgery.

• During the surgery:

The eye surgeon use a spacer to keep the eyelids spaced and the eye is open; to facilitate the surgery on the cornea, and then passes a special accurate device (epithelial separator) that has a sharp blade that cuts off a very thin part of the cornea's surface and separates it from the corneal layer called stroma. An excimer laser is allowed to pass by and reach the cornea to reshape its surface in approximately 20 seconds.

The surgeon then gets back the separated layer from the surface of the cornea and may place a very thin lens on it to help it heal quickly and then puts a few drops of antibiotic to avoid inflammation.

• After the surgery:

The patient can leave the surgeon's clinic immediately after the epi-Lasik surgery, preferably with one of the acquaintances or relatives because his in ability to drive a car.

The success rates of the epi-Lasik surgery depend primarily on the patient's compliance with the ophthalmologist instructions. Taking care of eye drops and taking other medications are the most important things that can enhance the chances of recovery and help to achieve the best results.

The patient can usually see improvement in vision after about a week of epi-Lasik, and the best level of vision without glasses could be achieved after about 3 to 6 months.