Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) | 2021
Femtosecond-Assisted Laser in situ Keratomileusis with de novo Flap Creation Following Previous Microkeratome Laser in situ Keratomileusis
Abstract
Purpose To report the outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with previous microkeratome LASIK using a femtosecond laser platform to create a de novo flap. Methods The charts of 17 patients that underwent femtosecond-assisted LASIK with de novo flap creation for consecutive refractive error following previous microkeratome LASIK were retrospectively reviewed at a single private practice institution. The baseline characteristics, intraoperative findings and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results All 17 eyes underwent femtosecond-assisted LASIK with de novo flap creation without significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Uncorrected visual acuity improved postoperatively (p<0.0001) and remained stable at 6 months follow-up. None of the subjects lost any lines of best spectacle corrected visual acuity or developed epithelial ingrowth during the postoperative period. Conclusion The femtosecond laser technique described in this report can provide a safe and effective method to deliver LASIK following previous microkeratome LASIK. Future investigations are required to further validate the findings in this study.