Epi-LASIK: a confocal microscopy analysis of the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the confocal microscopy findings at the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma after epi-LASIK.

Patients And Methods: Twelve eyes of 12 patients underwent epi-LASIK. A central scan of the total corneal thickness was taken with the confocal microscope before and at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery. Corneal epithelial thickness was measured and the anterior stroma morphology was also analyzed.

Results: Mean epithelial thickness was 46.5 ± 5.5 μm before surgery. It had decreased by 23.4% (35.6 ± 5.6 μm) at 2 weeks and by 22.1% (36.2 ± 5 μm) at 1 month postoperatively, compared with the preoperative measurement. The change in thickness was statistically significant. The anterior stroma showed keratocyte activation at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery.

Conclusion: Corneal epithelial thickness was decreased up to 1 month after surgery. The stromal ablation zone showed keratocyte activation in both postoperative measurements.