title: Postoperative management and follow-up after corneal flap loss following laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: We present 3 cases of flap loss within 2 weeks of unilateral laser in situ keratomileusis. In all patients, spontaneous regeneration of the epithelial layer, covering the ablated stroma, was expected. In 2 patients, the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity recovered to 20/25 within 6 months and in 1 patient, a contact lens was fitted 6 months after the accident, restoring visual acuity to 20/25. The 6-month follow-up and the contact lens fitting technique are described.
authors.affiliation: The Eye Hospital Rotterdam, Schiedamsevest 180, 3011 BH Rotterdam, The Netherlands. fredeggink@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fred A G J
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Eggink
authors.forename: Catharine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Eggink
authors.forename: W Houdijn
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Beekhuis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003261:Contact Lenses; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000293:injuries*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000379:methods; D012038:Regeneration; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity