Epikeratophakia

Epikeratophakia is a surgical procedure that involves the reshaping of the cornea to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. This procedure was first introduced in the 1980s and has since been largely replaced by other forms of refractive surgery such as LASIK and PRK.

Procedure

The procedure of Epikeratophakia involves the removal of the epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, and the placement of a donor cornea onto the patient's cornea. The donor cornea is shaped to correct the patient's refractive error and is then sutured onto the patient's cornea. The epithelium is then allowed to grow back over the donor cornea.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Epikeratophakia has several advantages over other forms of refractive surgery. It is a reversible procedure, meaning that if the patient is not satisfied with the results, the donor cornea can be removed. It also does not involve the cutting of the patient's cornea, which can lead to complications such as corneal ectasia.

However, Epikeratophakia also has several disadvantages. The procedure is more invasive than other forms of refractive surgery and requires a longer recovery time. It also has a higher risk of complications such as infection and rejection of the donor cornea.

Alternatives

There are several alternatives to Epikeratophakia, including LASIK, PRK, and phakic intraocular lenses. These procedures are generally less invasive and have a shorter recovery time than Epikeratophakia.

See Also

• Refractive surgery
• Cornea
• Myopia
• Hyperopia
• Astigmatism