Traumatic corneal flap avulsion and loss 13 years after LASIK

Abstract

Postoperative flap displacements after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) are uncommon complications, and flap losses are even less frequent, occurring most commonly within 24 hours after the procedure. Although cases of late subluxation have been reported up to 14 years after the surgery, the longest reported time after surgery for late flap loss is four years after LASIK. We report a case of a 54-year-old man that presented a traumatic total flap avulsion and loss 13 years after LASIK. According to our knowledge, this is the longest time reported in such a case in the literature. Medical treatment yielded an acceptable visual result. This case reinforces the concept that there could be a lifelong potential risk of traumatic corneal flap loss after LASIK.

Traumatic Flap Dislocation and Management After 17 Years of Lasik Surgery

“…Traumatic LASIK flap dislocation is an uncommon, but well documented complication after LASIK surgery. To date the longest reported duration between surgery and dislocation ranges between 13 or 14 years [3,4]. This case, with the dislocation occurring 17 years after surgery, is significant in being the longest reported interval in literature.…”

Flap amputation for long-standing post-LASIK flap dislocation with epithelial ingrowth

“…Flap dislocation has been reported in 0.01%–1.2% cases undergoing LASIK, and is most commonly observed within the first few days of surgery 5–7. Late traumatic flap dislocations or avulsions are rare, but may be observed even years after the initial surgery 8 9. Flap dislocation may be amenable to refloatation in timely diagnosed cases; however, management of long-standing flap dislocation may be challenging owing to the development of fixed folds and associated interface-related problems.…”

Traumatic displacement of laser in situ keratomileusis flaps: an integrated clinical case presentation

“…However, LASIK is associated with potential postoperative complications, including over- and under-correction, dry eye, corneal sensation impairment, infection, epithelial ingrowth, corneal flap-related problems, and cornea ectasia [ 1 ]. Traumatic displacement or amputation of LASIK corneal flaps is an uncommon postoperative complication that can occur any time after LASIK [ 2 , 3 ]and could be visually devastating [ 4 , 5 ]. Successful replacement of an amputated LASIK corneal flap has only been reported once, in a case of blunt eye injury five months following LASIK [ 6 ].…”