Epi Lasik | موقع عيادة د.حنتيره للعيون بجدة Dr.Hantera EyeClinic

Epi Lasik surgery is one of the vision correction procedures used in ophthalmology clinics for the purpose of curving the cornea with the help of laser, and it is very similar to the regular LASIK procedure except that it includes cutting a very thin part of the epithelium layer on the surface of the cornea and thus may be suitable for patients who have a thin cornea.

And with the question of Dr. Muhammad Hantira, an honorary assistant professor, ophthalmology department, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia

Explain to us:

One of the advantages of the LASIK procedure that makes it the most preferred by many eye surgeons is the lack of the need to use alcohol to facilitate the separation of the epithelium layer in the cornea, as is the case in LASIK, as many ophthalmologists consider that the alcohol used has toxic effects on the cells of the epithelium layer. In the cornea, it may delay the recovery period and return the patient's vision to a normal level.

The duration of treatment is approximately three days.

What is the reason for resorting to the operation?

Many patients may resort to an Epi-LASIK procedure due to one of the following problems:

• Short sightedness. Farsightedness injury. Farsightedness or astigmatism.

• To get rid of prescription glasses or contact lenses.

• The necessary checks and procedures before undergoing the operation

Before deciding on the possibility of performing an IBD, a patient must undergo some tests required by the eye surgeon, including:

• A comprehensive eye examination that includes measuring some structures inside the eye in addition to examining the visual level.

• Double endoscopic examination.

• Quantitative and qualitative examination of the tear film in the eyes.

• Corneal topography; To know the strength and shape of the cornea.

• Wave front inspection; To measure high gaze aberration.

• Corneal thickness measurement.

• Accurate pupil size measurement.

Complications of Epi lasik operation may expose the patient to several risks, and despite the high success rates of LASIK operations, it may carry some complications that the patient should be aware of and be aware of, even if they are rare, such as:

• Sensitivity to light.

• Dry Eye.

• Blurred or cloudy vision.

• The need to repeat the operation for not achieving the required level of vision.

Operation procedure steps

The Epi-Lasik process includes three stages:

• Preparing for the operation: The patient is given local anesthesia by using an anesthetic eye drop, and perhaps giving him a sedative intravenously for more comfort during the operation.

• Before that, the patient is asked not to use contact lenses for at least two days before the operation.

• During the operation: Dr. Hantereh uses a spacer to keep the eyelids wide apart and the eye open to facilitate work on the cornea, then passes a special micro-device that contains a sharp blade that cuts a very thin portion of the corneal surface and separates it from the corneal stroma. And it allows the passage of intermittent flashes of laser radiation that reach the cornea and work to reshape its surface in about 20 seconds.

• After that, a doctor returns the separated layer of the surface of the cornea, and he may put a very thin lens on it to help it heal quickly, then apply a few drops of the antibiotic to avoid infection.

• After the operation: the patient can leave the surgeon's clinic immediately after the operation is over, and it is preferable to accompany one of the acquaintances or relatives because the patient is not able to drive a car.

• The recovery period The success rates of the operation depend mainly on the patient’s compliance with the eye surgeon's instructions, as being careful to use eye drops and taking other medicines is the most important thing that may enhance the chances of recovery and help reach the best results.

• Usually, the patient can notice an improvement in the level of vision after about a week of the operation and reach the best level of the ability to look well without glasses after about 3 to 6 months.