Comparison of Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Flap Morphology and Predictability by WaveLight FS200 Femtosecond Laser and Moria Microkeratome: An Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap thickness predictability and morphology by femtosecond (FS) laser and microkeratome (MK) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. METHODS: Fifty-two candidates for the LASIK procedure were stratified into two groups: FS laser-assisted (Allegretto FS-200) and MK flap creation (Moria 2). Flap thickness was determined at five points. The side-cut angle was measured in three directions at the margin interface. LASIK flap assessment was performed one month postoperatively by Spectralis anterior segment optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (93 eyes) were recruited; 49 eyes were stratified to the FS group and 44 eyes to the MK group. The FS group had relatively even flap configurations, and the MK group had meniscus-shaped flaps. Mean differences between planned and actual flap thickness were 12.93 ± 8.89 and 19.91 ± 5.77 µm in the FS and MK groups, respectively. In thin flaps (100 to 110 µm), there was a significant disparity between the two groups (7.80 ± 4.71 and 19.44 ± 4.46 µm in the FS and MK groups, respectively). However, in thicker flaps (130 µm), comparable flap thickness disparity was achieved (18.54 ± 9.52 and 20.83 ± 5.99 µm in the FS and MK groups, respectively). Mean side-cut angle was 74.29 ± 5.79 degrees and 32.34 ± 4.94 degrees in the FS and MK groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Comparable flap thickness predictability was achieved in thicker flaps (130 µm), while the FS laser technique yielded a more predictable result in thinner flaps (100 to 110 µm). Different flap morphology was observed in meniscus flaps in MK-LASIK and flap morphology in FS-LASIK.

Switching to Aflibercept in Diabetic Macular Edema after Unsatisfactory Response to Other Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of switching to aflibercept in diabetic macular edema (DME) with suboptimal response to previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. METHODS: A prospective interventional case series study recruited patients from a single center diagnosed with DME with suboptimal response to anti-VEGF injections. Three consecutive monthly injections of aflibercept were performed. The primary outcome measure was mean change in visual acuity after switching to aflibercept. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (42 eyes) were included. Baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity was 0.87 ± 0.23 and improved significantly to 0.62 ± 0.29, 0.56 ± 0.34, and 0.46 ± 0.35 at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively, after the first injection. Mean baseline retinal thickness was 451.57 ± 107.09 µm and decreased significantly at 1, 2, and 3 months after switching to aflibercept (346.52 ± 79.03, 328.24 ± 81.98, and 313.71 ± 85.79 µm, respectively). Both visual improvement and mean change in retinal thickness were significant in patients with pre-aflibercept best-corrected visual acuity less than 1.0 logMAR but were not significant in patients with best-corrected visual acuity more than 1.0 logMAR. CONCLUSIONS: Switching to aflibercept in DME patients with an unsatisfactory response to previous anti-VEGF injections provided acceptable short-term visual and retinal architectural improvement.