First Author: A.Tan SINGAPORE
Co Author(s): J. Mehta D. Tan
Purpose:
We aim to evaluate the incidence and clinical outcomes of patients who have had suction loss during Visumax femtosecond laser flap ablation and to examine the difference in histological and microscopic characteristics of Visumax flaps in human corneas which have had suction loss induced to those with no suction loss.
Setting:
Refractive surgery patients from the Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC) from November 2008 to August 2011
Methods:
This is a prospective study of 4862 cases of patients who underwent myopic Visumax femtosecond LASIK at the Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC) from November 2008 to August 2011. 10 human corneas were obtained as part of the Human Eye Bank Study and underwent Visumax femtosecond laser flap ablations. Suction loss was induced in 5 corneas after 4mm of ablation.
Results:
Follow-up period ranged from 1-162 days (mean 76 days). Overall complication rates were 0.86% with suction loss occurring in 6 eyes (0.1%) in our series. The stage of surgery where suction loss occurred, the management and the visual outcomes are described in detail. In-vitro studies of human corneas showed no double flap creation despite suction loss and the re-application of the suction to complete the partial flap. Scanning electron microscopy of the flap-stromal interface showed no discernible differences and pristine flap lifts between the corneas with induced suction loss and those with no suction loss.
Conclusions:
The re-application of the suction to complete the partial flap caused by suction loss during Visumax femtosecond laser flap ablation is a safe and predictable technique that has good visual outcomes with minimal complications. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No
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