Our 20/20 LASIK Blog

Epi-LASIK is one of the many tools in the 20/20 Institute arsenal to correct your vision. If LASIK surgery is not an option for you because your corneas are too thin, then Epi-LASIK may be a viable solution for you. Like LASIK, it can correct many ranges of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism and with similar results.

The biggest difference between traditional LASIK and Epi-LASIK is the way the eye is prepared for reshaping by the laser. With LASIK, a very thin flap is created in the top layers of the cornea. For people with very thin corneas, there is not enough corneal tissue to do this safely. For Epi-LASIK patients, the surgeon makes a flap in the epithelium, which is the outermost layer of the cornea and not in the cornea itself. This epithelial flap is folded back and then the laser-reshaping portion of the procedure commences just as it would in traditional LASIK.

After the procedure, an oxygen-permeable lens is placed in the eye to act as a bandage while the epithelium heals, approximately three to fours days. Epi-LASIK patients experience a bit more discomfort than LASIK patients but this can be controlled with over the counter medications. The end results of the two procedures are comparable.

If you're interested in learning more about the different types of LASIK surgery, please contact the 20/20 Institute to schedule a free LASIK evaluation. We'll find out if you are a candidate for Epi-LASIK or one of our other vision correction procedures.