E-LASIK or Epi-LASIK

E-LASIK or Epi-LASIK. This is a newer, advanced procedure in which a special micro-keratome is used to make a flap of only the clear outer skin layer (the epithelium). This exposes the stroma, the excimer laser is used to re-shape the cornea, and the epithelial flap is replaced and a contact lens is placed as a bandage. This procedure is used wherever a LASIK flap is not appropriate or desired, such as with thin corneas, corneal dystrophies, or where the patient does not want a LASIK flap. It has also been used very successfully by Dr. Motwani in cases of high prescriptions, which require high amounts of tissue for re-shaping. Since the entire stromal depth is available for the re-shaping, it creates a higher margin of safety also.

Source: Dr. Motwani.

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.

PRK - Photo Refractive Keratectomy

PRK- Photo Refractive Keratectomy. This is the original laser procedure where the outer clear skin layer of the cornea is scraped away and the cornea is re-shaped using the excimer laser. The amount of skin scraped away depends on the type of re-shaping being done, and usually takes about 2-4 days to heal. A contact lens is used as a bandage lens to aid healing and decrease discomfort. Modern PRK post-op care limits pain to mostly the day of the procedure, with little to no pain after day one. PRK is used in cases where a LASIK flap is not appropriate or not desired.

Source: Dr. Motwani's Alpha Laser Center in San Diego.

Different Types of Laser Eye Surgery

There are many different types of laser eye surgery. I thought I'd post a few definitions (borrowed from Dr. Motwani's website -- the San Diego lasik surgeon who performed my surgery).

LASIK- Laser Assisted In Situ Keratamileusis. This is a procedure where a corneal flap is made consisting of the outer clear skin layer (epithelium) and a small layer of the stroma of the cornea. This allows the stroma to be exposed, and the excimer laser is used to re-shape the cornea. With hyperopia, the laser removes tissue from the outer part of the cornea, with myopia, it is removed in the inner part of the cornea, and with astigmatism tissue is removed preferentially along one axis of the cornea. With Dr. Motwani’s techniques, discomfort and visual rehabilitation take 3-6 hours after surgery.

My First Visit to Doctor Motwani

My first visit to Dr. Motwani was to see if I qualified for lasik surgery. His staff ran me through the same types of tests that I had undergone previously at Dr. Kawesch's office. Though both seemed professional, I felt much more comfortable with Dr. Motwani than I did with the other office. During my consultation, I had a chance to visit with Dr. Motwani -- I never even saw Dr. Kawesch the day I went into his office. In fact, I was never told that it was a different Dr. Kawesch who was now running the clinic. I only found out when I noticed that the picture on the folder didn't match the picture on the website. From there Google took over ...

What I enjoyed the most about Dr. Motwani was that he was both professional and personable. When you're considering having laser surgery peformed on your eyeballs, it's important to feel that the person is competent; it's also nice to have a good feeling about them. I was fortunate in that I had both.

Learning New Things

Now that I'm on the post-side of Lasik surgery, I'm having to learn things that people with good eyesight have known all along. Case in point: Never leave your black sunglasses in the car when it's 100 degrees outside and then put them on!

LIke Silly Putty, Part Two

One of the consequences of having eyes shaped like Silly Putty meant that when I decided to try contacts in high school, I had to wear hard contacts. They would pop out, get stuck up in my eyelids, cause my eyes to get all red. All in all, it was a fun experience. Not nearly as fun, however, as I remember Silly Putty being.