Clinical Evaluation of New Microkeratome

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine dimensions and quality of flaps created with Zyoptix(TM) XP microkeratome. METHODS: Ninety-nine eyes of 50 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. LASIK procedures were performed by a single surgeon, using Zyoptix(TM) XP microkeratomes (Bausch & Lomb) with 160 micrometer, 180 micrometer and 200 micrometer heads and suction rings with intended flap diameters (IFD) of 8.5 mm and 9.5 mm. Patients' age, preoperative manifest refraction value, keratometry reading, preoperative central corneal thickness, stromal bed thickness, and flap diameter were recorded. To calculate flap thickness, subtraction pachymetry was used. The microscopic quality of the flap and stromal bed was graded from 0 to 100. RESULTS: The mean thickness of flaps created by Zyoptix(TM) XP microkeratome was 107.56+/-13.61 micrometer with the 160 micrometer head, 132.99+/-21.03 micrometer with the 180 micrometer head, and 134.32+/-14.75 micrometer with the 200 micrometer head. The actual flap diameter was 9.18 mm for an IFD 8.5 mm and 9.96 mm for an IFD of 9.5 mm. Subjective assessment of the flap and stromal bed, respectively, was 98.32+/-2.24 and 97.94+/-3.85 with the 160 micrometer head, 97.86+/-1.73 and 97.97+/-2.22 with the 180 micrometer head, and 97.79+/-1.17 and 97.72+/-1.10 with the 200 micrometer head. CONCLUSIONS: Flaps created with Zyoptix(TM) XP microkertome were reproducible in their dimensions. The flaps and stromal beds were of high quality.