PRK/LASEK/ and EPI-LASIK are surface treatments that involve temporarily removing the most superficial layer (epithelial sheet of cells) of the cornea. Once this is accomplished the excimer laser treatment is given to the exposed corneal surface. The epithelial sheet is replaced on the surface of the eye and a soft contact lens is inserted for a few days following surgery.
Laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is a surgical procedure that corrects visual problems without the creation of a corneal flap as in LASIK, designed especially for patients with thin corneas. Instead of a microkeratome, dilute alcohol is used to loosen the outer layer of the cornea, epithelium, from the stroma (thick, transparent middle layer of the cornea that performs most of the focusing for the eye. The loosened epithelium is then moved aside from the treatment zone. Excimer Laser is then applied. Finally the epithelial sheet is returned to its original position, as with the LASIK flap.
The first LASEK procedure was performed at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1996 by Dr. Dimitri Azar. Camellin popularized the procedure and coined the term LASEK for laser epithelial keratomileusis.
Azar LASEK Technique
Epi-LASIK refers to an alternative surgical approach for epithelial separation by mechanical means, without the use of alcohol. It is similar to LASEK in that it combines the LASIK eye procedure of laser ablation and can be used for patients with thin corneas. With this technique, the surface separation is performed using an instrument initially designed in the University of Crete to operate similarly to a microkeratome, to create a thin flap. Once the surface layer has been removed, the Excimer Laser is then applied and reshapes the cornea to correct your visual condition. The layer is then returned to its original position as in other procedures.
PRK/LASEK/EPI-LASIK
