Epi-LASIK

Triad Eye Institute offers a variety of corneal refractive procedures to help you achieve the best vision possible.

Epi-LASIK is a version of LASIK surgery designed to correct some of the potential problems patients may experience with LASIK  and LASEK. Epi-LASIK is basically a hybrid of all three, but there are some key differences.

During a LASIK procedure, the corneal flap is made using an advanced laser.  The laser allows for unparalleled precision and accuracy in making the corneal flap. With LASEK, only the outer layer of the cornea, or epithelium, is cut but still retains its hinge on the eye. This same type of cut is also used in the Epi-LASIK procedure, however, an blunt, plastic blade is used.

During a LASEK procedure, alcohol is used to help loosen the epithelial sheet. The introduction of the alcohol into the eye can cause some post-op irritation for some patients and result in the loss of epithelial cells. In the Epi-LASIK procedure, a plastic blade called an epithelial separator is used to separate the epithelial sheet from the eye.  This alcohol-free method of sheet separation prevents any adverse reaction the patient may have to alcohol.

Epi-LASIK is typically more appropriate for patients with flatter corneas and lesser amounts of myopia.

After the epithelial flap is made, it is lifted and gently folded out of the way. An excimer laser is used, as in LASIK or PRK, to sculpt the underlying corneal tissue. Then the epithelial flap is placed back on the eye with a kind of spatula.

A special contact lens is placed on the eye to keep the flap in place while the epithelium grows back. Surgeons use a high-Dk contact lens for this, which means it is very oxygen-permeable. The contact lens protects the surface of the eye and allows the epithelial cells to grow back properly.

Meet Dr. Conley

Ryan P. Conley, D.O. is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained cornea specialist. He has established himself as an advanced cataract surgery specialist, performing the first LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgery in the state of Oklahoma.  He also performs LASIK blade-free vision correction, refractive lens implant surgery and various corneal transplant procedures.

Dr. Conley is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Osteopathic Association, and Oklahoma Osteopathic Association.