LASEK

LASEK. This is a procedure where the outer clear skin layer (epithelium) is weakened with alcohol, and removed carefully in whole form to expose the stroma. The excimer laser is used to re-shape the cornea, and the loosened epithelium is replaced with a contact lens as a bandage. This procedure usually takes 5-6 days to heal, has a significant amount of epithelium loss due to alcohol being toxic to epithelium, and has been largely supplanted with Epi-LASIK.

Source: Dr. Motwani, San Diego Lasik Surgery.