ABSTRACT
In recent years, excimer laser has provided safe and effective approaches for the correction of refractive errors. Among the various refractive surgery procedures, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) have been the most frequently performed for the treatment of myopia and astigmatism. Although PRK offers satisfactory refractive results for low myopia, subepithelial haze and refractive regression still remain significant concerns, especially when higher correction is attempted (1,2). LASIK is currently gaining acceptance as a more sophisticated procedure (3). Despite the fact that it leads to minimal haze and rapid recovery of vision, LASIK has its own drawbacks (4-6). More recently, laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) has been introduced as a new surgical technique (7,8), which may combine the advantages and reduce the disadvantages of PRK and LASIK. The characteristics of corneal wound-healing response after refractive surgery are variable with each surgical procedure. Furthermore, the corneal wound-healing response can directly affect the surgical correction of refractive errors and is closely associated with complications after refractive surgery. It is therefore clear that scientific understanding of corneal woundhealing process will lead us to the therapeutic successes after the surgery.
