Myopic LASIK and LASEK in patients with preoperative mean central keratometry ≥47.50 D.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether patients who undergo myopic LASIK or laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) with preoperative central keratometry ≥47.50 diopters (D) are at higher risk for developing corneal ectasia postoperatively. METHODS: Records of 32 patients (54 eyes) who underwent myopic LASIK or LASEK between May 2002 and July 2005 with preoperative mean central keratometry ≥47.50 D were retrospectively reviewed. Patients eligible for the study were offered free follow-up. Last follow-up was at least 3 years after surgery. All procedures were performed with the Technolas Keracor 217z excimer laser (Bausch & Lomb). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (40 eyes) had LASIK and 8 patients (14 eyes) had LASEK. At last follow-up, no patient had developed ectasia. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that patients with preoperative central keratometry ≥47.50 D as the only parameter evaluated should not be excluded from corneal refractive surgery due to increased risk of postoperative ectasia. However, when this preoperative finding is accompanied by other topographic abnormalities, treatment options should be carefully evaluated.

Effect of preoperative keratometric power on intraoperative complications in LASIK in 34,099 eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of preoperative keratometric power on the intraoperative complications in LASIK for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the records of 34,099 eyes of 17,388 patients who underwent LASIK for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism using the Moria LSK One manual microkeratome and the Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217 Z excimer laser were reviewed. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred thirty-eight (3.92%) intraoperative microkeratome complications were identified in the total number of eyes: 571 (1.67%) free caps, 320 (0.93%) epithelial abrasions, 282 (0.82%) thin/irregular flaps, 126 (0.36%) incomplete flaps, and 39 (0.11%) flap buttonholes. When eyes were stratified according to preoperative keratometric power, eyes with flatter corneas usually had more free caps and incomplete flaps than eyes with steeper corneas (P < .05), whereas eyes with steeper corneas usually had more epithelial abrasions and thin/irregular flaps than eyes with flatter corneas (P < .05). The risk of free caps, incomplete flaps, and epithelial abrasions was greater when bigger keratome rings (H) were used than when smaller rings (-1) were used (P < .05). The incidence of buttonholes was independent of the preoperative keratometric power, keratome plate (100 or 130 microm), and keratome ring (-1, -2, or H). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant relationship was found between preoperative keratometric power and incidence of flap buttonholes in this series. Eyes with flatter corneas tended to have more free caps and incomplete flaps, whereas eyes with steeper corneas tended to have more epithelial abrasions and thin/irregular flaps.

Interface fluid syndrome in routine cataract surgery 10 years after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: Interface fluid syndrome is an unusual complication after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). We present a case of interface fluid syndrome after cataract surgery in a patient who had previous LASIK surgery. METHODS: A 62-year-old man underwent routine cataract surgery on the left eye 10 years after LASIK on both eyes. The day after surgery, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was 21 mm Hg and a pocket of fluid was present in the interface LASIK wound. The patient was treated with 0.50% timolol eye drops twice daily. RESULTS: The problem resolved within 1.5 months. Two months later, the patient underwent routine cataract surgery of the right eye. The next day, the IOP was 11 mm Hg and LASIK interface fluid was present. The patient was treated with 0.5% timolol eye drops twice daily. Two months after the surgery, the problem had completely resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular hypertension and traumatic endothelial cell damage could have been the causes of the syndrome. Although the IOP was not very high, previous LASIK could have led us to underestimate the IOP.