Effect of suction on the posterior segment after LASIK using Femtosecond Laser vs Microkeratome

Abstract

Background: Creating a successful corneal flap is the first critical step during LASIK surgery. Two techniques are used to produce corneal flaps during LASIK surgery: a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. Femtosecond laser has a significant impact on refractive surgery by enabling non-mechanical creation of corneal flaps during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). During LASIK flap creation, intraocular pressure (IOP) increases to levels exceeding 65 mm Hg. Femtosecond laser flap creation exerts less extreme IOP fluctuations but requires more procedural time than when a microkeratome is used. This study was conducted upon 60 eyes of 38 patients to evaluate the effect of applied suction during LASIK procedures on the posterior segment of myopic eyes, whether the flap was created by Microkeratome or Femtosecond laser. The study subjects were equally divided into 2 groups: group F (30 eyes of 20 patients) underwent femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK surgery and group M (30 eyes of 18 patients) underwent microkeratome-assisted LASIK surgery using Moria M2 for the treatment of myopia. It was found that the central macular thickness and RNFL thickness were not changed significantly in both groups when measured 1 week after surgery. Regarding the incidence of PVD, there was a higher incidence in group F, it was detected in 8 eyes (26.7%) compared to group M, it was detected in 1 eye (3.3%). Conclusion: Slight localized changes of macular thickness and reduction of the RNFL thickness were caused by LASIK using the two major forms of flap creation, namely a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. Regarding the incidence of PVD, it was found that femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK using Visumax femtosecond laser had a higher incidence than that after microkeratome-assisted LASIK with the Moria M2. So the surgery of LASIK is safe and efficient, but surgeons should choose effective and safe suction mode, shorten the suction time and exclude potential retinopathy and pre-existing glaucoma before surgery to improve the safety and efficacy of LASIK.