LASIK of Customized Microkeratomy by Selection of Microkeratome Heads

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the intraoperative and postoperative complication rates and visual outcomes with M2 130 head (thick flap group) and M2 110 head (thin flap group). METHODS: One-hundred-ninety-five eyes of 104 patients who underwent LASIK with the Moria M2 microkeratome and Allegretto-wave laser were reviewed retrospectively. Selection of M2 heads was based on preoperative pachymetry and estimated ablation depth. Intraoperative and postoperative flap-related complications, mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and mean spherical equivalent (MSE) were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 8.1 months. The number of eyes, preoperative MSE and mean corneal thickness of M2 130 were 115, -4.04+/-1.63diopter (D) and 549.40+/-39.16 micrometer, and 85, -6.61+/-3.43D and 525.16+/-24.53 micrometer, respectively, in the 110 head group. Mean UCVA and MSE at postoperative 1 week, 3 months and 6 months were 1.00+/-0.18, -0.26+/-0.49D; 1.07+/-0.68, -0.40+/-0.51D; and 1.01+/-0.22, -0.51+/-0.50D, respectively, in the 130 head group, and 0.90+/-0.23, -0.46+/-1.02D; 0.91+/-0.23, -0.67+/-0.79D; 0.85+/-0.46, -0.75+/-0.88D, respectively, in the 110 head group. There were no significant differences in intraoperative and postoperative flap-related complication rates between the two groups (p=0.316). There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative mean UCVA or MSE between the two groups (p>0.05), except for MSE at the third and sixth postoperative months (p=0.005, 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Proper selection of M2 heads by preoperative pachymetry allowed for an adequate residual stroma bed with good visual outcome. Utilizing one single microkeratome and switching between two heads was advantageous and cost-effective.