Reproducibility of Corneal Flap Thickness in LASIK

Abstract

* BACKGROUND: The purpose of the microkeratome in laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is to create a corneal flap of desired thickness, thus exposing the stroma. The accuracy and repeatability of intended flap thickness with the current microkeratome system has not been documented. The purpose of this study was to determine the precision and consistency of creating a corneal flap thickness of 160µm with the Moria LSK-One microkeratome (distributed by Microtech, Inc., Doylestown, PA). * PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 93 eyes from 67 patients who underwent LASIK were reviewed. The central corneal thickness was measured at baseline. The microkeratome using a "130" footplate was used to create an intended flap 160pm thick, and the corneal thickness was then remeasured. * RESULTS: The mean flap thickness for both eyes combined was 1 59pm (S.D. = 28). There was no significant correlation between pre-flap corneal thickness or average K and the corneal flap thickness. * CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that the Moria LSK-One microkeratome creates reproducible LASIK flaps consistently near the intended 160µm corneal flap thickness. This knowledge enables the surgeon to make a corneal flap with great confidence in the thickness of the excision. In addition, this study provides a clinical, in vivo model for testing corneal flap thickness. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 1999;30:350-353.]

Fundus oculipigmentation studies simulating the fs-LASIK process

“…Several studies feature a linear coherence between the preoperative thickness of the cornea and the resulting thickness of the flap during LASIK [19,20]. These studies are a controversial issue and must be considered in following studies [21,22].…”