title: Proposed mechanism for retinal tears after LASIK: an experimental model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate axial length changes associated with anterior shift of the lens/iris diaphragm and anterior vitreous base in human cadaver eyes during suction ring application preceding Moria LASIK, and to propose that these changes may be associated with anterior retinal tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human eye study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight human eye bank eyes ranging in age from 65 to 73 years. Two eyes had a history of intraocular surgery involving cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements of intraocular pressure via internal manometer and Tono-Pen, anterior chamber depth, and axial length before and after application of a Moria LASIK suction ring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Change in anterior chamber depth and axial length after Moria LASIK suction ring application.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Axial length increases (mean change = 1.125 mm, P = 0.02) after application of the suction ring, whereas anterior chamber depth shows no significant difference (mean change = -0.01 mm, P = 0.98), suggesting anterior movement of the vitreous base resulting in traction on the anterior retina.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Axial length increase with anterior displacement of the vitreous base during suction ring placement might predispose susceptible eyes to anterior retinal tears during and after LASIK.
authors.affiliation: Doheny Retina Institute of the Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA. cflaxel@dohenyeyinstitute.org
authors.forename: Christina J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Flaxel
authors.forename: Young H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheety
authors.forename: Stephen Christopher
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Oeinck
authors.forename: Joe Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McDonnell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008365:Manometry; D008954:Models, Biological; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000209:etiology*