Posters

High frequency femtosecond laser versus mechanical microkeratome-assisted flap creation for LASIK: a prospective, randomized, paired-eye study

Poster Details

First Author: B.Pajic SERBIA

Co Author(s): Z. Cvejic   V. Canadanovic   B. Pajic-Eggspuehler              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the high-frequency femtosecond laser with a microkeratome for flap creation during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in terms of flap thickness predictability and visual outcomes

Setting:

Eye Clinic ORASIS, Swiss Eye Reseach Foundation, Reinach AG, Switzerland

Methods:

This was a prospective, randomized, masked, paired-eye study. Forty-four patients who received bilateral LASIK were included. Patients were stratifed by ocular dominance, and they then underwent randomization of flap creation using the femtosecond laser on one eye and undergoing the microkeratome procedure on the other one. The visual acuity outcome differences between the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at baseline and the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) on the first day postoperatively were set as the effciency index for both groups. All visual acuity outcome results and the deviation of flap thickness were evaluated. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically signifcant.

Results:

In the microkeratome group, the efficiency index at the first day, and until the first week after surgery, was reduced (P<0.001). A significant improvement of the UDVA in comparison to the CDVA at baseline was observed by the end of the first month (P=0.0271). In the femtosecond laser group, the efficiency index was stable (P=0.64). The UDVA was significantly increased at the end of the first week (P=0.0043) and at the end of the first postoperative month when compared to the baseline CDVA (P=0.001). Six months after surgery, improvement in the UDVA was significant in both groups (P<0.001). The difference between intended flap thickness and the postoperative flap thickness measurement was 16.80±10.52 µm for the microkeratome group and 6.47±5.19 µm for the femtosecond laser group

Conclusions:

Flap creation with femtosecond technology is significant better regarding the flap thickness predictability, reproducibility, and faster UDVA rehabilitation

Financial Disclosure:

None