Comparison of Complications of the Corneal Flap following LASIK by Three Different Manual Microkeratomes

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare and analyze intraoperative and postoperative complications of corneal flap in the LASIK procedures using different types of manual microkeratomes (MLK, LSK, disposable Barron). METHODS: Eight hundred sixty-two eyes were retrospectively evaluated to study the effects of 3 different microkeratomes on the frequency of complications, managements, and postoperative best visual acuity. The eyes were grouped according to the microkeratomes used in making corenal flap Group 1 (334 eyes) treated with MLK(SCMD, USA); Group 2 (256 eyes), LSK(Moria, France); Group 3 (272 eyes), disposable Barron(Katena, USA). RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 6.3 months and mean age was 29.2 years (range 20 39). Complications of corneal flap were observed in 74(7.9%) of 862 eyes. Intraoperative flap complications occurred in 15 eyes (4.5%), 6 eyes (2.4%) and 3 eyes (1.2%) in each group, respectively. The postoperative flap complications were observed in 24 eyes (7.2%), 17 eyes (6.7%) and 9 eyes (3.3%) in each group. The postoperative best corrected visual acuity decreased by 2 lines or more in 2 eyes (0.6%), 1 eye (0.4%) and none (0%) of each group. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of corneal flap-related complications by manual microkeratomes was relatively low. Disposable Barron microkeratome showed the lowest complication rate in our series. It also has an advantage of easy maneuverability, and reproducibility (equal size and thickness of corneal flap).