Clinical feature of unintended thin corneal flap in LASIK: 1-year follow-up

Abstract

To purpose of this study was to evaluate complications of unintended thin corneal flap in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), such as visual acuity and myopic regression, at the one year follow-up. We performed a study on 54 eyes, i.e. 27 patients, having LASIK. The eyes were split into two groups, group one, 27 eyes with unintended thin corneal flap with a thickness of 100 microm or less, and as a control group, 27 eyes with a thickness of 110 microm or more. The average corneal flap thicknesses of the two groups were 88.89 +/- 8.07 microm and 132.70 +/- 19.58 microm, respectively. With regard to postoperative complications, there were no statistical differences between the groups for: foreign bodies in aspects of the interface, mild peripheral infiltration, superficial punctuate keratitis, myopic regression and decreased vision. The only complication showing any statistical difference between the two groups was the central corneal opacity. An unintended thin corneal flap, with an intact Bowman's layer, induced no significant postoperative complications. Central corneal opacity was apparent in 4 of the eyes in group one, so may be related with a thin corneal flap.

Blade source effect on laser in situ keratomileusis flap thickness with the Amadeus I microkeratome

“…15,16 Thus, it appears that one can achieve the potential advantages of thin-flap LASIK [12][13][14]17,18 with mechanical microkeratomes or femtosecond lasers.…”

Long-term results of superficial laser in situ keratomileusis after ultrathin flap creation

“…[12][13][14][15] Faster visual recovery and better contrast sensitivity results Q 2006 ASCRS and ESCRS Published by Elsevier Inc.…”

The effect of flap thickness on the visual and refractive outcome of myopic laser in situ keratomileusis

“…16 Thinner flaps affect the integrity of the most anterior keratocyte layer that, through release of several cytokines from the corneal epithelium, 49 may control the keratocyte activation, myofibroblast transformation and haze formation after lamellar refractive surgery. 48 Central corneal opacities in eyes with very thin flaps have been described, [15][16][17] attributed mainly to ablation of the Bowman's layer. We have not observed corneal opacities in any of our patients despite 24% of the eyes in our study had flaps between 70 and 100 mm.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Although flap diameter variability has not been reported to be a frequently significant problem in myopic laser ablations, flap thickness has been linked to a variety of postoperative complications, such as iatrogenic keratectasia, 11,12 epithelial ingrowth, 13 flap dislocation, striae, 14 and corneal opacities. [15][16][17] This study sought to examine the relation of flap thickness to the visual and refractive results of myopic LASIK, in addition to assessing the safety, efficacy, predictability, complication, and enhancement rates in relation to flap thickness.…”