The early postoperative adhesion of corneal lamella after LASIK was measured. The interface was washed by hypo, iso and hypertonic saline solution and the influence on the lamella adhesion was assessed. Drying the interface and the excimer laser ablation of epithelial cells along the edge of the lamella were assessed in terms of the influence on the adhesion. The term „phototerapeutic epithelecto- my (PTE)“ was proposed for the excimer laser ablation of corneal epithelial cells. Small insignificant influence of PTE was found. The clinical application of PTE to increase the early adhesion of lamella is not recommended because of the epithelial destruction along the lamella edge. The adhesion was increased signi- ficantly by means of drying the interface which is recommended for the clinical application. High variability od measurements between different eyes was found.

        Key words: LASIK, adhesion, lamella, phototerapeutic epithelectomy, PTE