Iqbal technique in femtosecond LASIK (the Quadrilateral technique): a new modified technique for lifting the corneal flap from the stromal bed

Session Details

Session Title: LASIK II

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 08/09/2015 | 14:00-16:00

Paper Time: 15:27

Venue: Room 10

First Author: : M.Saleem EGYPT

Co Author(s): :                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Iqbal technique in Femtosecond LASIK (the quadrilateral technique) for lifting the corneal flap created by femtosecond laser.

Setting:

Sohag University Hospital, University Hospital, Egypt.

Methods:

179eyes of 99 patients complaining of myopia and astigmatism were treated with Femtosecond LASIK using Iqbal technique for lifting the corneal flap from the stromal bed. All eyes were subjected to preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, slit lamp examination of anterior segment, keratometry and pachymetry assessed by corneal topographies (Pentacam).

Results:

This new technique was aimed to facilitate the lifting of the corneal flap from the stromal bed in a simple and easy manner however, this study discovered that this technique allowed us to use the minimal energy power 0.85 mJ which was greatly helpful in decreasing the incidence of postoperative deep lamellar keratitis and corneal haze. The technique was found to be simple, safe and easy with rapid learning curve with no recorded complications. Furthermore, the first step in the technique which is complete release of the flap edge from the corneal stromal bed allowed the author to discover any incomplete separation of the edges to be separated smoothly from the bed without disturbing the uniformity of the flap.

Conclusions:

Iqbal technique (quadrilateral technique) showed a good sign in decreasing the power needed for flap creation by the femtosecond laser. This technique proved to be a promising new simple, effective and safe procedure to lift the corneal flap from the stromal bed with rapid learning curve and less time consuming than other procedures.

Financial Interest:

NONE