Laser in situ keratomileusis

Abstract

A new laser refractive procedure is being developed in a rabbit model. With a modified microkeratome, central corneal flaps were created. An ArF excimer laser was used to produce 3-mm-diameter circular ablations on the central part of the exposed stromal bed. One group of animals was sacrificed immediately postoperatively, and both the dissected and ablated areas were studied using scanning electron microscopy. A second group of animals was sacrificed 4 weeks postoperatively. In this group, the subsequent healing of the corneas was studied using light microscopy. At 3 days, the wounded stromal areas showed some degree of haze. Haze was progressively reduced over 1 month, but it could be still discerned biomicroscopically. A hemicircular opacification corresponding to the flap edges was also apparent on slit-lamp examination. Microscopic observation showed that the epithelium was normal, except at the flap margins, where it was thickened. An increased number of keratocytes was observed in the interface between the flap stroma and the ablated area. The procedure might induce stable corneal changes because of the preservation of the anterior layers of the cornea.

Surgical applications of femtosecond lasers

“…Refractive surgery: Laser in situ keratomileusis (LA-SIK) [67] involves the removal of tissue in the bulk of the cornea (stroma) to correct for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Suction immobilizes the eyeball, and a microkeratome blade partially separates the epithelium, leaving a hinge of uncut tissue at one end.…”

Analysis of corneal esthesia in patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy

“…Studies conducted in rabbits, which have a similar inervacional structure to the human cornea, have demonstrated the reappearance of peripheral neurites around the sixth week following PRK (17) . Likewise, Pallikaris et al observed recovery of central corneal sensitivity to values considered normal or near normal in the third month after PRK (18) . In the mitomycin C group of the present study, no recovery of cor neal esthesia to normal values was observed ay 90 days after the procedure, with a mean value of 39.2 (P<0.001).…”

Interesting fundus lesion after LASIK mishap

“…While widely used in clinical practice, complications from laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) have been reported since its description by Pallikaris 1 in 1990. Here, we report a case of a young man with an unusual fundus appearance after LASIK-related corneal penetration and lens dislocation.…”