title: Unexpected flap thickness in laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: We report a case of an unexpected thick flap during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) that led to abandonment of surgery. This report illustrates the importance of stromal bed measurements after flap creation in LASIK. A thicker-than-expected flap can lead to a thinner-than-anticipated residual cornea and subsequent ectasia or even perforation during laser ablation. It is possible that reports of ectasia in normal thickness corneas reflect thicker-than-anticipated flaps.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sight and the Corneoplastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust, East Grinstead, West Sussex, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Giledi
authors.forename: Sheraz M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Daya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects; D013524:Surgical Flaps