Hyperthermic treatment of post-LASIK corneal striae.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of hyperthermia for the treatment of long-standing corneal flap striae after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
TLC Laser Eye Center, Garden City, New York, USA.


METHODS
Patients with visually significant flap striae at least 3 weeks post-LASIK were offered hyperthermic treatment. The central 6.0 mm of epithelium was removed from affected corneas, and the flaps were elevated. A striae removal spatula was heated to 65 degrees C in sterile water, and both sides of the flaps were mechanically massaged with the spatula for 5 to 10 minutes until the striae were visually reduced.


RESULTS
Thirty-six eyes of 34 patients were treated with hyperthermia to remove corneal striae. All patients had a clinical reduction in striae. The mean pretreatment best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/44, improving to 20/25 on follow-up (mean follow-up 16.4 months). Patients subjectively noted reduced haze and glare and no loss of BCVA. There were no serious flap complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperthermic treatment is a safe, effective treatment option for corneal striae after LASIK.
Donnenfeld
Eric D
ED
Nassau County Medical Center, East Meadow, NY 11570, USA.
Perry
Henry D
HD
Doshi
Sima J
SJ
Biser
Seth A
SA
Solomon
Renée
R
D000328:Adult; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003319:Corneal Stroma; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012449:Safety; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity