What is EpiLASIK?
EpiLASIK, also known as Advanced Surface Treatment, is an alternative to LASIK.
EpiLASIK can provide vision correction for patients who are not considered to be candidates for LASIK due to certain vision conditions, such as unusually thin corneas.
EpiLASIK may also be an option for patients who work in an occupation or participate in a hobby in which the chances for eye injury are higher than average such as police officers, firefighters, soldiers and boxers.
With the exception of few details, the procedure for EpiLASIK is similar to the traditional LASIK procedure in that the beam of a excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea to the proper curvature.
In LASIK procedures, a thin flap on the cornea is created with a mechanical blade called a microkeratome, then lifted prior to laser treatment, and finally repositioned. In EpiLASIK, however, the surface cells on the cornea are completely removed prior to laser treatment. No flap remains. Instead, the cells completely regenerate, resulting in the smoothest surface possible.
THE BENEFITS OF EpiLASIK
EpiLASIK can reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses. The procedure is rapid, painless and safe. Patients experience minimal downtime. In fact, most of our EpiLASIK patients return to their normal activities on the following day. Vision and comfort improve over the course of several days as the surface cells on the cornea regenerate.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR EPILASIK?
Generally, to be a candidate for EpiLASIK, one must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have healthy eyes and corneas
- have a stable refractive error, meaning that your prescription for glasses or contact lenses has not changed drastically within the past year.
Patients who may not be candidates for LASIK due to certain conditions such as thin corneas, advanced refractive errors and dry eyes may require EpiLASIK. However, some patients may be eligible for the Bladeless LASIK procedure.
To schedule a refractive consultation, call (910) 485-EYES. At your consultation, you will meet with Dr. Woodcock, we’ll perform a thorough examination of your eyes, and advise you on the best possible method of vision correction.
OUR ADVANCED LASIK TECHNOLOGY
At Carolina Vision Center, our patients receive custom LASIK with our WaveScan technology. WaveScan creates a “fingerprint” of your eye that is as unique as your DNA. With this technology, we can individualize every step of your LASIK treatment to provide you with the best possible outcome. Our laser center houses the most advanced lasers available for vision correction, the Allegretto Wave and the VISX Star 4 excimer lasers.
DOCTOR WOODCOCK’S LASIK EXPERIENCE
When you trust your eyes to Dr. Woodcock, you trust your eyes to one of the most experienced and most respected refractive surgeons in the world. Dr. Woodcock was one of the 13 original investigators in the FDA study that led to the nationwide commercial approval of LASIK in 1995. Since then, Dr. Woodcock has performed over 25,000 LASIK procedures. Dr. Woodcock has been selected as one of America’s Top Ophthalmologists by the Consumer’s Research Council of America every year since 2004, and he is a member of the Society for Excellence in Eye Care.