ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the suction time in forming the corneal flap with microkeratome on the corneal flap thickness. METHODS: Thirty porcine eyes were randomly assigned into 3 groups according to suction duration: group 1(10 sec), group 2(35 sec) and group 3(60 sec). The Hansatome microkeratome with 160 plate and a suction ring with 8.5mm diameter were used to create corneal flap. The thickness of central cornea was measured with automated ultrasound pachymeter before the procedure. And after making the flap, the remained corneal thickness was measured with the same method. Then, the difference between the two values was thought to be the corneal flap thickness. RESULTS: The mean corneal flap thickness in group1, 2, and 3 were 91.0+/-24.1 micromiter, 110.1+/-8.9 mu m and 127.2+/-6.1 mu m, respectively. The difference was significant among the three groups(p=0.010), and the longer suction duration made the flap thicker. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in forming the corneal flap with microkeratome, the suction duration has an effect on the corneal flap thickness and an increase of suction duration makes the flap thicker in porcine eyes.