title: Lasik enhancements: a comparison of lifting to recutting the flap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the visual outcomes and incidence of complications of lifting with recutting the lamellar flap in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) enhancement surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred twelve consecutive eyes undergoing a LASIK enhancement procedure at a single surgery location during a 5-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Charts of participants were obtained and outcome measures obtained.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relifting of flaps was performed in 164 of 212 eyes (77.4%), and recutting of flaps was performed in 48 of 212 eyes (22.6%). There were no significant differences in early visual outcomes between the two groups. At 1 year patients had significantly better uncorrected vision if the flap was lifted rather than recut (20/24.7 vs. 20/31.3, P < 0.008). In addition, the flap lift group had a significantly more stable refraction at 1 year than did the recut group (change in spherical equivalent: +0.05 diopters (D) vs. -0.57 D). The incidence of complications did not significantly differ between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LASIK enhancement surgery can be performed safely and effectively by either lifting or recutting a flap. Lifting the flap may show better long-term stability of refractive error and uncorrected acuity.
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Eye Consultants, P. A., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hardten
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindstrom
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Samuelson
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Lindstrom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity