Factors Associated with the Successful Separation of Corneal Epithelium in Epi-LASIK
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
; : 1623-1629, 2007.
Article
in Ko
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-15124
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and perioperative factors of flap-related complications from Epi-LASIK. METHODS: In this study, 122 eyes of 66 patients who had Epi-LASIK using Centurion SES(TM) epikeratome (Norwood Eye Care, Australia) were enrolled. Associations of pre-operative corneal curvature, white-to-white distance, central corneal thickness, refractive error, dry eye, punctate corneal erosion, pannus, and history of wearing contact lenses with flap-related complications were investigated. To decrease flap-related complications, surgeons pressed patients' eyelids with a speculum during epithelial separation, and the effect of this method was verified. RESULTS: Complete epithelial separation was achieved in 74 eyes (60.6%), incomplete separation in 29 eyes (23.8%), and free epithelial sheet in 19 eyes (15.6%). Thin corneas (P=.041), a history of wearing contact lenses (P=.008), and the duration of contact lens use (P=.003) significantly decreased the incidence of successful epithelial separation. Pressing down the eyelids with a speculum while separating the epithelial sheet increased the incidence of complete separation from 50.6% to 83.8% (P=.003). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of flap-related complications from Epi-LASIK may be higher in people who use contact lenses and in people who have thin corneas. The risk can be reduced by pressing the eyelids with a speculum during epithelial separation.
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Refractive Errors
/
Surgical Instruments
/
Incidence
/
Contact Lenses
/
Epithelium, Corneal
/
Cornea
/
Eyelids
Type of study:
Incidence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
Ko
Journal:
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
Year:
2007
Type:
Article