title: Long term results of Epi-LASIK and LASEK for myopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long term clinical and confocal results of mechanical (Epi-LASIK) versus alcohol-assisted laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for correction of myopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gazi University Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two eyes treated with LASEK and twenty eyes treated with Epi-LASIK were evaluated with a mean follow-up duration of 45 months. Mechanical separation of the epithelium was performed with Lasitome epithelial separator, and alcohol-assisted separation with 25s application of 18% alcohol. Laser ablation was performed with the ESIRIS laser. All patients were examined daily until epithelial closure; at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; and every year subsequently. Main outcome measures were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refraction, haze, and gray scale value in confocal microscopy, efficacy and safety indexes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative myopic spherical equivalent refraction was -4.65 ± 1.74 D in the LASEK and -3.87 ± 1.30 D in the Epi-LASIK-treated eyes (p=0.36). Of both LASEK and Epi-LASIK-treated eyes, 95% achieved 20/25 or better final UCVA. The grade of haze and mean gray scale value in confocal microscopy were similar in LASEK and Epi-LASIK-treated eyes at all postoperative periods. The efficacy index was 0.94 in LASEK group and 0.96 in Epi-LASIK group (p=0.44). The safety index was 1.01 in LASEK group and 1.02 in Epi-LASIK group (p=0.42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both LASEK and Epi-LASIK offer safe and effective correction of myopia in the long term.
authors.affiliation: Kahramanmaras Necip Fazil City Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Electronic address: ozturk.nilay@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nilay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.affiliation: Gazi University Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bilgihan
authors.affiliation: Gazi University Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hondur
authors.affiliation: Gazi University Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burcin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.affiliation: Kahramanmaras Necip Fazil City Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yuksel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
keywords: Epi-LASIK; LASEK; Long term results