Epilasik and Lasek are becoming more common procedures. www.webmd.com/.
Study results have shown that these procedures for myopia under 7.00diopters have the same visual acuity, after 3 months, as with LASIK. Some patients do not want any risk of cutting a flap and desire bladeless surgery.  These procedures are in fact bladeless and do have an increase margin of safety because there is no cornea flap and thus no flap complication.  I also recommend these procedures if the cornea is too thin or if there is doubt about a hidden type of keratoconus that will show up on the corneal scan.
www.fda.gov/

In Epilasik and Lasek the epithelial cells are loosened from the cornea and slid to the side. In Epilasik the cells are loosened mechanically and in lasek they are loosened with a dilute alcohol solution.  In both cases this leaves a very smooth corneal surface for laser treatment.  Laser is then performed using the same Visx laser either with or without wavefront.  The cells are then slide back in place and a bandage contact lens placed on the eye.  This contact lens has no prescription for vision but acts to hold the cells on the eye until they adhere to the corneal surface.  We usually leave the contact lens in place for 4 days.  During this time you continue to use your prescribed eye medication.  For example, if surgery is done on Thursday we check you in the office on Friday and then remove the contact lens on Monday.  Once the contact lens is removed vision will start improving.  Usually functional vision is back by 1 week after surgery. Driving and work can then be resumed.  During the week after lasek or Epilasik you can see but vision is blurred.  This is because the epithelial cells are bumpy.  Once the cells have adhered to the corneal stroma they gradually multiply and smooth them selves over.

Lasek and Epilasik have the advantage of having a little less risk than lasik and in some cases as for example a thin cornea are the only procedure to do.

The major disadvantages are the slow return of vision.  For example no driving for 1 week after surgery and mild discomfort after the procedure.  In Lasik there is almost no discomfort because the corneal surface is left intact and not treated.  Lasek and Epilasik also have an increased risk of late corneal haze developing.  This is rare with treatment under 7.00 diopter.  If this occurs it can be treated with another procedure and a drug called mitomycin.