Femtosecond laser LASIK flap preparation with conical incision and positional spikes.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the creation of corneal flaps for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with conical incisions and positional spikes that may increase postoperative rotational flap stability.


METHODS
University Eye Department.


METHODS
A corneal flap was prepared in 5 freshly enucleated porcine eyes using a femtosecond laser. In the first step, the flap bed with a diameter of 8.0 mm was created by an intrastromal incision running parallel to the corneal surface. In the second step, a posterior-anterior incision was created with a diameter of 8.0 mm at the level of the first incision and 7.0 mm at the corneal surface. In addition, a hinge and 3 spikes were prepared in the flap with corresponding notches in the surrounding tissue.


RESULTS
In all eyes, the corneal flaps were prepared easily within 5 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
Femtosecond laser technology allowed a new type of LASIK flap formation with conical incisions and positional spikes.
Jonas
Jost B
JB
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany. Jost.Jonas@augen.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Vossmerbaeumer
Urs
U
D000818:Animals; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013552:Swine