Posted on the OSN SuperSite November 24, 2009
Complications from femtosecond laser flap creation seen in few eyes
J Refract Surg. 2009;25(11):979-984.
Femtosecond LASIK flap creation spurred complications in less than 1% of eyes that underwent the surgery, according to a study.
"Laser in situ keratomileusis complications specifically related to the IntraLase femtosecond laser did not cause loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity in any eyes," the study authors said.
The retrospective case series included 4,772 eyes that underwent LASIK flap creation with the IntraLase 15-kHz or 30-kHz femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics) between September 2003 and June 2006.
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Study data showed that 44 eyes (0.92%) had direct or indirect postoperative complications from femtosecond laser flap creation.
Thirty-two eyes had indirect complications; 20 eyes (0.42%) had diffuse lamellar keratitis, and 12 eyes (0.25%) developed transient light sensitivity.
Twelve eyes (0.25%) had direct complications from femtosecond laser flap creation: Eight eyes (0.17%) had premature breakthrough of gas through the epithelium within flap margins, three eyes (0.06%) had incomplete flaps attributed to suction loss, and one eye (0.02%) had an irregular flap stemming from an existing corneal scar, the authors said.
