If you have been considering have LASIK done on your eyes, you should really be considering what Lasik CAN do to your eyes. The LASIK procedure requires a Cut into the eye. Whether using a blade, or using laser, a section of your cornea will have to be sliced up and placed aside. This is to allow excimer laser to reshape the cornea tissue underneath the cornea flap.
A Cornea Flap is Not a Necessity
Why would there be a need to cut a cornea flap when the surgeon can start correcting your vision right from the surface of the cornea? The answer? Your wonderful feedback. Because the surface of the cornea flap was untouched thoughout the surgery, you can regain clear vision almost immediately after surgery! But is this for your best interest?
What are the Implications of the Cut?
The cut is to create the flap. The flap is to be replaced after the surgery. This is to allow you to enjoy the WOW effect almost immediately after the surgery. However, the cornea flap is the culprit towards many complications during LASIK. These complications include Incompletely Created Flap, Flap Dislodgement post-op, Flap Striaes and Folds, Flap Inflammation and Infection, and many more.
The entire cornea is also effectively weakened after the surgery. A cornea with a previous cornea cut has a weaker structure than a cornea that never had any cut. Therefore LASIK puts a patient at risk of Cornea Ectasia, a cornea thinning complication.
Epi-LASIK does not require the Cut
Epi-LASIK only requires the removing of the supeficial skin cells, the epithelium, before excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. There is no need to cut into the deeper layers of the cornea. It is not necessary at all. After the reshaping is completed, it just takes 4 to 5 days for the skin cells to grow back. After that, the cornea will look as good as it has never had any surgery performed.
Here's an animation of the Epi-LASIK procedure, courtesy of Clearvision Eye Clinic & LASIK Centre:
