Objective: To protect epithelial flap and improve the rate of painless LASEK and Epi-LASIK surgery.
Methods: 285 eyes of 285 cases of LASEK, 39 eyes of 39 cases of Epi-LASIK were involved in the study. Laser machines used in the study included Mel 80, lasersight LSX, NIDEK EC5000, VISX 4star, AOV (66 vision) and 217Z. The Epi-LASIK hinge position was routinely at 11-12 o'clock. The application time of alcohol for LASEK was 10-20 seconds. The hinge was routinely at 12-1 o'clock by the way of epithelial-CCC.
Results: Postoperative pain: 269 cases (91.23%) in LASEK and 36 cases (92.31%) in Epi-LASIK were quiet (patients did not complain pain and open the eyes in a nature way), There was no significant difference in the ration of postoperative pain between two groups. LASEK: CLs were taken off in 10 cases (3.51%) in 7-11 days. Epi-LASIK: CLs were taken off in 2 cases (5.13%) in 7-10 days. The main reason of delayed taking of the CLs was irregular edema of epithelium.
Conclusions: The LASEK and Epi-LASIK are able to be a painless procedure. LASEK/Epi-LASIK can get quiet situation postoperatively with quickly recovery of effective vision by LASIK. Delayed taking off CLs is safe and effective to protect the survival epithelium in case of the epithelial flap delayed healing.