title: Laser in situ keratomileusis flap suturing to treat recalcitrant flap striae.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the management of resistant laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap striae using interrupted sutures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interrupted sutures were used to treat striae in the LASIK flaps in 7 eyes of 7 patients. The mean interval from LASIK to the time of suturing was 11.8 months (range 3.0 to 29.0 months). The preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 20/20(-2) to 20/100. All patients had subjective visual complaints with spectacle correction, and all corneas had obvious macrostriae on slitlamp biomicroscopic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean patient follow-up was 7.0 months (range 1.5 to 14.0 months). Six patients regained a BSCVA of 20/20 or better with resolution of preoperative irregular astigmatism and subjective visual disturbance. In 1 patient, mild central striae recurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flap suturing was an effective means of treating visually significant flap striae.
authors.affiliation: Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: M Bowes
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hamill
authors.forename: Douglas D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014792:Visual Acuity