Efficacy and Safety of Surgically Managed Late Traumatic LASIK Flap Displacements in a Study of 66 Cases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and efficacy in the management of flap displacement after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and subsequent complications. METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed using data recorded at the center's database from October 2002 to August 2021. Efficacy and safety were both converted to binary outcomes (loss of one or more lines and no change or gain in lines of visual acuity). The effects of time from surgery to complication and from complication to repair were assessed and the odds ratios and probabilities were calculated. The same procedure was applied to investigate the effect of these temporal variables on complications. RESULTS: A total of 66 eyes with late traumatic LASIK flap displacements were studied. Efficacy remained unchanged in 48 patients (64 eyes, 75%), and safety remained unchanged in 53 patients (59 eyes, 90%). Sixty-six patients (64 eyes, 100%) achieved visual acuity values of 20/40 and 45 patients (64 eyes, 70.3%) achieved values of 20/20. The flap displacement was resolved in the first 24 hours (SD ± 0.1 days). Surgery was performed in 58 patients (65 eyes, 90%). Epithelial ingrowth was the most frequent complication. Patients who underwent surgery tended not to lose lines (P = .05). The risk of developing epithelial ingrowth increases with time after LASIK surgery until traumatic flap displacement (odds ratio: 1.001; P < .001). The prevalence of dislocation during the study period was 0.012%. CONCLUSIONS: Visual safety values were favorable after resolution of the flap complication. Immediate surgical management leads to better visual efficacy, and the time between LASIK and trauma increases the risk of epithelial ingrowth after flap displacement. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(4):270-276.].

Infectious crystalline keratopathy: Management of three cases with different risk factors.

We present the management of three cases of infectious crystalline keratopathy. The first one, in a 46-year-old patient with two previous penetrating keratoplasties; the second one, in a 46-year-old patient with chronic alcoholism and limbal insufficiency; and the third one, in a 70-year-old patient with bullous keratopathy. Other systemic conditions that may mimic infectious crystalline keratopathy, such as multiple myeloma, gout or cystinosis were ruled out on each patient by laboratory testing. The cases were managed with topical or topical and systemic treatment that led to the disappearance of the symptoms. Infectious crystalline keratopathy is a chronic and indolent pathology in which interlamellar bacterial plaques are observed in absence of apparent ocular inflammatory signs. Microorganisms penetrate the cornea through epithelial defects, commonly after a penetrating keratoplasty, although other risk factors may be present.

Dellen and corneal perforation after bilateral pterygium excision in a patient with no risk factors.

Corneal perforation associated with dellen is a rare but serious complication of a primary pterygium excision. In this case report, we describe a 60-year-old man who underwent a corneal perforation in the centre of corneal dellen in his right eye and corneal dellen in his left eye after the surgical treatment of a bilateral pterygium with a bare sclera technique without adjunctive therapy. He was successfully treated with lamellar keratoplasty in his right eye and a conservative approach in his left eye, consisting of the use of artificial tears, antibiotic ointment and a patch. The clinical evidence from this brief interventional case report indicates that topical lubricants are proper therapy for corneal dellen. However, if corneal perforation is observed, lamellar keratoplasty is a good option.