Published by Dr. Josef Reiter on 07 Mar 2008
What is Epi-LASIK?
A surgeon performing Epi-LASIK uses a precise instrument called an epikeratome to gently separate a thin layer of cells covering the eye, called the epithelium. This layer of cells, just like the outer layer of your skin, re-grows quickly. There are no stitches and no knife cutting into the deeper layers of the cornea.
The epikeratome leaves a very smooth surface for treatment with an excimer laser, the same laser used for LASIK. The surgeon uses the laser to reshape the cornea, according to your prescription and a map of your eye.
After the cornea is reshaped with the laser, a soft bandage contact lens is placed on the eye to keep it clean and comfortable during the healing process. Over the next several days, healthy new epithelial cells grow over the treated area.
As this happens, your vision gradually improves so that you can see without glasses or contact lenses.
The epikeratome leaves a very smooth surface for treatment with an excimer laser, the same laser used for LASIK. The surgeon uses the laser to reshape the cornea, according to your prescription and a map of your eye.
After the cornea is reshaped with the laser, a soft bandage contact lens is placed on the eye to keep it clean and comfortable during the healing process. Over the next several days, healthy new epithelial cells grow over the treated area.
As this happens, your vision gradually improves so that you can see without glasses or contact lenses.
I went back to EEC today for my follow-up. Although my left eye had regained perfect 6/6 eyesight, my right eye was not that good. Unfortunately, the healing process for my right eye was rather unusual. There seemed to be some deposits on the epithelial which obstructed the healing process. The corneal epithelial cells are the fastest reproducing cells in the human body. The cells of the epithelial flap need to die, be expelled, be replaced, and then the whole epithelium needs to thicken and smooth. Therefore, Dr Theng did some minor scraping on my right eye to allow the cells to grow back faster.
I believe Johnny Depp is certainly more suave than this XXXX-looking face.
