Is there a higher chance of regression after LASIK or Epi-LASIK?

Hi Susanne In the first step of the LASIK procedure, a ‘flap’ is created using a femtosecond laser (or, in the past, a special blade called a microkeratome). During this step, the laser is ‘connected’/docked to the eye with a ring-like device that grips the white part of your eye. You can watch an animation here: There are many small blood vessels on this part of the eye, and sometimes the suction pressure providing the grip may cause some of the blood vessels to leak some blood, causing red patches after the LASIK.

Corneal collagen crosslinking with LASIK or SMILE is relatively new, and the true beneficial effects, if any, may not be quantifiable or known for some years yet. In essence, after the cornea has been reshaped (through LASIK or SMILE), vitamin B2(riboflavin) is applied to soak the cornea, and then ultraviolet light is shone on the soaked cornea. The entire crosslinking process adds about 3 minutes to the entire refractive procedure. We do know that after crosslinking, the cornea becomes stiffer (stronger in a way). There is no other extra effect known to be caused by the crosslinking.