The Analysis of Epithelial Ingrowth after LASIK Using a Femtosecond Laser.
10.3341/jkos.2011.52.12.1434
- Author:
Hee Jin JUNG
1
;
Sang Won KIM
;
Tae Hun LEE
;
Kyung Hun LEE
Author Information
1. Sungmo Eye Hospital, Busan, Korea. kkiya75@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epithelial ingrowth;
Femtosecond laser;
LASIK
- MeSH:
Epithelium;
Eye;
Humans;
Incidence;
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2011;52(12):1434-1439
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence and clinical course of epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using a femtosecond laser. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the results of 1158 eyes of 581 patients who received LASIK with the flap created by a femtosecond laser from February 2006 to March 2009 at our institute. We investigated the incidence and clinical course of LASIK in which the flap was created by a femtosecond laser. RESULTS: Epithelial ingrowth was first detected one week after surgery in 12 (57%) of 21 eyes and within one month in 19 eyes (90%). Epithelial ingrowth was localized most commonly near the temporal and nasal flap edge in 12 eyes (57%). In two eyes (9.5%), an isolated ingrowth mass was located in the pupillary area. The development of more than 2.0 mm of epithelial ingrowth was observed in three eyes (0.25%). Among 28 eyes with loose epithelium or epithelial detachment during surgery, epithelial ingrowth was observed in six eyes (21.4%) compared with 15 (1.32%) of 1130 eyes without loose epithelium or epithelial detachment. Therefore, epithelial detachment during surgery was significantly associated with epithelial ingrowth (p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: In LASIK in which the flap is created by a femtosecond laser, damage to the epithelial layer increases the chances of epithelial ingrowth. Therefore, avoiding epithelial defects with a gentle maneuver is needed to reduce the chance of epithelial ingrowth during surgery.
