Why Us  
 
As one of the pioneers of Epi-LASIK surgery in Singapore, Dr. Tony Ho, senior ophthalmologist and founding director of both Clearvision LASIK Center and Eye Care Clinic, has been dedicated to achieving the most precise vision correction outcomes for each of his patients, utilizing the advanced method of corneal surface ablation known as Epi-LASIK.  Amongst the few eye surgeons in the region to embrace the unique laser eye surgery procedure, Dr. Ho recognizes the varied and distinct advantages of Epi-LASIK surgery over LASIK.  Having performed several hundred cases with great success, Dr. Ho combines his wealth of experience with unwavering commitment, skill, and integrity to guarantee you the unparalleled results your eyes deserve. 
  
     
     
  Why Epi-LASIK?  
     
 
 
An abbreviation for Epithelial Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, Epi-LASIK is the new frontier in laser vision correction.  A sophisticated form of corneal surface ablation, Epi-LASIK is a procedure that involves the use of a blunt microkeratome blade to mechanically separate a thin layer of surface epithelium from the underlying topmost stromal layer of the cornea, leaving the exposed area for laser sculpting.  This breakthrough procedure differs markedly from conventional LASIK, which requires an incision or cut to be made into the stromal layer of the cornea, creating a corneal flap which is lifted to expose the stroma for laser ablation.  Because Epi-LASIK, unlike traditional LASIK, dispenses with the need for the creation of a deep corneal flap, it circumvents those core problems surrounding LASIK that revolve around the issue of flap creation. 
 
     
 

For one, Epi-LASIK bypasses any potential for flap-related LASIK complications, such as incomplete cutting of the flap, loss of the cornea flap, shifting or wrinkling of the flap, or even dislodgement of the cornea flap, all of which can lead to a compromised or permanent loss of best corrected vision.  In light of the possible dangers of flap creation plaguing LASIK, Epi-LASIK is particularly suitable for those in professions in which there exists a heightened risk of trauma to the eye (such as military or police officers, sports enthusiasts, etc) given that Epi-LASIK eliminates any chance of flap dislodgment.  Secondly, because cornea nerve endings are not cut in Epi-LASIK as in LASIK, Epi-LASIK effectively avoids the problem of dry eyes frequently experienced in LASIK patients, an inconvenience which can persist for months or years.  Most importantly however, the greatest appeal of Epi-LASIK resides in the fact that this groundbreaking procedure saves at least 100 microns of cornea tissue by moving aside only a superficial layer of epithelium to enable lasering beneath the bed, an impossible feat in standard LASIK in which significant cornea tissue is lost due to the flap creation process prior to tissue ablation.  Such a tissue sparing procedure is especially crucial for individuals with high degrees of myopia or thin corneas who would have been unsuitable candidates for LASIK.  Furthermore, since the cornea in an Epi-LASIK procedure is left thicker and therefore necessarily stronger, there exists a decreased likelihood of keratoectasia, or the development of an unstable cornea attributable to the removal of excessive cornea tissue. 

All in all, bearing in mind the merits of Epi-LASIK particularly with respect to issues of safety and its ability to offer hope of a permanent means of vision correction for those with high myopia or thin corneas, this remarkable procedure easily challenges LASIK to emerge victorious in the field of laser refractive surgery.