Iowa's Only Epi-Lasik Center

The Epi-LASIK procedure is the latest and most desirable choice for laser eye surgery and is only available at Fox Eye Laser & Cosmetic Institute. Dr. Birchansky is the first, and currently the only, surgeon in Iowa to perform this new advanced procedure.

During Epi-LASIK, Dr. Birchansky uses a sophisticated automated device to separate and push aside the top layer of corneal cells called the epithelium. In the next step, the laser begins to treat the newly exposed corneal tissue using custom wavefront analysis. This, in effect, makes the correction as it reshapes the cornea. During the final step, the epithelium is brought back into place over the front of the eye and a clear, soft contact is placed on top acting as a bandage for a 5-6 day period.

The benefits of Epi-LASIK include: excellent visual outcomes, typically little post-operative pain, no alcohol toxicity to the eye, less dry eye complications, shorter healing and visual recovery time compared to LASEK, greater safety in treating higher prescriptions and thin corneas.

In contrast to Epi-LASIK, with LASIK there is a flap that is created with either a blade or a laser. This flap can be problematic in that the majority of post-operative LASIK complications are flap related (flap slippage, folds/wrinkles, inflammation, etc.). Since there is no corneal flap with Epi-LASIK, it inherently is a safer procedure.

With Epi-LASIK, when the delicate custom laser sculpting is completed, the cornea is covered by the thin layer of epithelium - not the thicker LASIK flap which can negate some of the fine, detailed work of the custom laser. LASIK flaps can also induce higher order aberrations, like glare and halos around lights. These are reasons that can explain why the quality of vision after Epi-LASIK is superb.

All these benefits together make Epi-LASIK the preferred procedure and the way of the future. Call today to set up an appointment for a free screening to learn how Epi-Lasik has improved safety and provided excellent visual outcomes.

http://www.foxeye.com/e-lasik.htm