Keratocyte density after LASIK flap creation using different femtosecond lasers

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Refractive Surgery New Techniques/Instrumentation/Devices I

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : P.Cañadas SPAIN

Co Author(s): :    C. Bouza   P. Drake   A. Katsanos   R. Aranda   I. Rodriguez-Perez   A. Parafita        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Current Femto laser platforms differ in the pulse energy and frequency, shape of the patient interface and suction pump, and these differences have promoted the interest on the differences that may be observed between FS-obtained flaps. Up to date, however, the interest has focused on the optical aspects of the flaps. The corneal wound healing response after LASIK performed with FS laser has been associated with grater postoperative inflammation and this corneal response has been associated with the laser energy. It is not known if these differences between FS lasers could have relevance in the cellular reaction.

Setting:

Private practice.

Methods:

We performed a prospective study of consecutive eyes that underwent LASIK to correct their myopic error divided in 3 groups: Intralase group included those in which the 60-kHz Intralase used. The IFS® group included those in which the flap was created using the 150 kHz Intralase laser used, and the LENSX® group included those in which the flap was created using the LENSX® 150 KhZ FS laser. A group of healthy non-operated corneas served as controls. In-vivo confocal microscopy was performed using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRTII) with the Rostock Cornea Module (RCM).

Results:

105 eyes were analyzed:23 in IntraLase group, 24 in the IFS® group, 30 in the LENSX® group and 28 in control group. Matched by age and preop refractive error. When we compare keratocyte density three months after surgery with control eyes we found that just keratocytes density with IFS® laser was statistically significant higher versus the control group and only in stromal bed. We didn´t found statistically differences in keratocyte density in flap and in stromal bed among the different FS lasers. We found keratocyte density higher in anterior stroma than in the stromal bed in all FS lasers

Conclusions:

There are not differences in keratocyte density or subtle if any between the FS lasers to create the flap after LASIK surgery. And we didn´t found differences between the cellular reaction after surgery vs virgin corneas. Further studies with a longer follow up and are needed to show possible changes in the keratocyte density with time and location.

Financial Disclosure:

None