J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2008 Mar;49(3):409-414. 10.3341/jkos.2008.49.3.409.

Comparison of Short Term Clinical Results Between LASEK and Epi-LASIK

• Lee SK
• Kim SW
• Kim TI
• Lee HK
• Kim EK
• Seo KY

• KMID: 2211313
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2008.49.3.409

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare short-term clinical results of LASEK and epi-LASIK.
METHODS
Fifteen subjects (30 eyes) underwent uncomplicated LASEK on one eye and uncomplicated epi-LASIK on the other eye by a single surgeon, and uncorrected visual acuity, refractive change, postoperative pain, and postoperative satisfaction were compared at postoperative week one, at one month, and at three months.
RESULTS
Postoperative uncorrected visual acuities were 0.68+/-0.20, 0.96+/-0.22, and 1.05+/-0.17 for LASEK and 0.75+/-0.21, 0.92+/-0.14, and 1.01+/-0.21 for epi-LASIK at one week, one month, and three months, respectively. Epi-LASIK showed faster improvement in visual acuity at one week, while LASEK showed faster improvement afterward. However, no statistical significance was found. Spherical equivalet of LASEK was -0.66+/-1.28D and that of epi-LASIK was -0.61+/-0.92D at postoperative week one, implying faster refractive recovery for epi-LASIK, but after one month, LASEK was faster in refractive recovery and all these changes were not statistically significant. Durations of postoperative pain were 3.13+/-1.25 days for LASEK and 3.02+/-1.32 days for epi-LASIK. Pain scores (0~10 point scale), however, were also lower for LASEK by 0.33 point, 0.57 point, and 0.45 point for postoperative day 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistical significance was noted in either pain duration or pain score. When asked for overall satisfaction, six subjects preferred LASIK, four subjects preferred epi-LASIK, and five subjects showed no preference.
CONCLUSIONS
Both LASEK and epi-LASIK are effective for surgical correction of myopia, and no significant difference in visual recovery, refractive change or degree of postoperative pain was noted in this study.

Keyword

Epi-LASIK; LASEK; Surface ablation

MeSH Terms

Eye
Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ
Myopia
Pain, Postoperative
Visual Acuity

Reference

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