Comparison of Corneal Sensitivity and Tear Function Following Epi-LASIK or Laser In Situ Keratomileusis for Myopia

Assessment of epithelial integrity and cell viability in epithelial flaps prepared with the epi-LASIK procedure

“…It uses a special device, the epikeratome, to generate an epithelial flap from the underlying Bowman's membrane, allowing intrastromal nerve fibers to be kept intact. In fact, a recent study 7 found that the problems associated with nerve fiber disconnection were almost completely eliminated. In the initial report by Pallikaris et al, 8 electron micrographs were provided showing the accurate separation of the basement membrane into 2 portions without epithelial damage.…”

In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Evaluation of Corneal Wound Healing after Epi-LASIK

“…9 -10 It also provides lower levels of transforming growth factor-␤1 in tears compared with LASEK and reduces the incidence of haze formation. 11 Many patients have reported shortened durations of pain and satisfactory surgical outcomes, [12][13][14] although contradictory results have also been reported. 15,16 To date, only a few investigators have studied the histopathology of the corneal epithelial flaps created with an epikeratome, and most specimens were obtained within 24 hours after surgery.…”

Bilateral Comparison of Conventional Epithelial Laser In Situ Keratomileusis and Lamellar Epithelial Debridement for Moderate to High Myopia

“…[6][7][8][9]19 In addition, the procedure was associated with reduced postoperative pain and corneal haze formation. 1,20,21 However, other reports and our previous results showed that epi-LASIK offered somewhat slower reepithelialization, improved pain relief, and better visual recovery in the early postoperative period.…”