To compare short-term clinical results of LASEK and epi-LASIK.

Fifteen subjects (30 eyes) underwent uncomplicated LASEK on one eye and uncomplicated epi-LASIK on the other eye by a single surgeon, and uncorrected visual acuity, refractive change, postoperative pain, and postoperative satisfaction were compared at postoperative week one, at one month, and at three months.

Postoperative uncorrected visual acuities were 0.68±0.20, 0.96±0.22, and 1.05±0.17 for LASEK and 0.75±0.21, 0.92±0.14, and 1.01±0.21 for epi-LASIK at one week, one month, and three months, respectively. Epi-LASIK showed faster improvement in visual acuity at one week, while LASEK showed faster improvement afterward. However, no statistical significance was found. Spherical equivalet of LASEK was -0.66±1.28D and that of epi-LASIK was -0.61±0.92D at postoperative week one, implying faster refractive recovery for epi-LASIK, but after one month, LASEK was faster in refractive recovery and all these changes were not statistically significant. Durations of postoperative pain were 3.13±1.25 days for LASEK and 3.02±1.32 days for epi-LASIK. Pain scores (0~10 point scale), however, were also lower for LASEK by 0.33 point, 0.57 point, and 0.45 point for postoperative day 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistical significance was noted in either pain duration or pain score. When asked for overall satisfaction, six subjects preferred LASIK, four subjects preferred epi-LASIK, and five subjects showed no preference.

Both LASEK and epi-LASIK are effective for surgical correction of myopia, and no significant difference in visual recovery, refractive change or degree of postoperative pain was noted in this study.