Background: Free-flap Epi-LASIK surgery show a fast epithelial healing and mild trauma responses. Its mechanism is notable. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the corneal epithelial healing response following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and flap-free Epi-LASIK surgery. Methods: Twelve experimental rabbits were randomly assigned to high cutting group(-10.00 D) and low cutting group(-3.00D), and 2 normal matched rabbits were used as controls. PRK was performed in lateral eyes and flap-free epipolis laser in situ-keratomileusis(...