Which laser eye surgery is better the EPI OR THE BLADELESS (USING intralase technology)SURGERY?

Question

I want to know which one is better or are they both good.

Answer 1

Neither is actually "better".  They are different and have their own advantages and disadvantages.  Bladeless Lasik creates a flap by making a tangential cut through the stroma of the cornea.  The flap is then moved out of the way to give the surgeon access to applying the laser to the stroma of the cornea.  EPI Lasik creates a flap but does so by only involving the most superficial aspect of the cornea -- the epithelium.  (Hence the name EPI Lasik).  The laser is applied to the anterior surface of the exposed corneal stroma rather than to a deeper exposed portion of the cornea.

Since bladeless Lasik involves placing the flap incision deeper in the cornea it has greater risk when being performed with patients who have unusually thin cornea thickness.  So EPI Lasik has an advantage when a patient has thinner corneas.  BUT, bladeless Lasik tends to have more rapid vision improvement and a lower risk of post operative pain or discomfort.  Also, EPI Lasik will require the patient to wear a post op contact lens for a period of time while the epithelium bonds to the lasered corneal surface.  Bladelss Lasik will generally not require the use of a post op contact lens.

My personal opinion is that if you have adequate corneal thickness then bladeless (or for that matter more traditional bladed) Lasik is a better way to go.  Your surgeon will be in the best position to make recommendations to you since he or she will have the information they need about your corneas.