Flap Complications of LASIK.

Yoon, Jun Taek; Lee, Geun Jang; Tchah, Hungwon

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2000;41(5):1146-1150.
Published online May 1, 2000.

Flap Complications of LASIK.

Jun Taek Yoon, Geun Jang Lee, Hungwon Tchah

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Korea.

라식수술과 연관된 각막절편 합병증

차홍원(Hung Won Tchah),윤준택(Jun Taek Yoon),이근장(Geun Jang Lee)

Abstract

Laser in situ keratomileusis[LASIK]for myopia reduces the risk of corneal haze but adds to the risk of flap complications. We assessed the incidence of flap complications overall, the management, the impact of the complications on best corrected visual acuity[BCVA], and the trend in these complications during the surgeon's learning curve in the series of 621 eyes undergoing LASIK.Twenty[3.2%]of 621 eyes had flap-related complications.The incidence of intraop-erative complications was fourteen eyes[2.2%], and it included irregular keratectomy in ten eyes[1.6%], incomplete keratectomy in four eyes[0.6%].The incidence of postoperative complications was six eyes[1.0%], and it included epithelial ingrowth in five eyes[0.8%], and diffuse lamellar keratitis in one eye[0.2%].There weren't grave complications such as infectious keratitis or corneal perforation.There was no change between preoperative and postoperative BCVA in seventeen eyes[85%].No eye lost 2 or more lines of BCVA because of flap complications. In conclusion, flap complications after LASIK were relatively uncommon, and rarely lead to a permanent decrease in visual acuity.Physician experience with the microkeratome and the careful handling of the corneal flap may be important to decrease the incidence of flap mplications.But even though it occurs, proper management and treatment will result in good surgical outcomes without grave visual impairment.

Key Words: BCVA;Flap complications;LASIK