The thin-flap LASIK technique.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if LASIK using a 130-microm microkeratome head (thin-flap LASIK) is as visually effective and safe as when using a 160-microm head.


METHODS
A study was performed comparing postoperative day 1 uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and flap complications in eyes undergoing myopic LASIK with a 130-microm head versus a 160-microm head using the BD K-3000 microkeratome (BD Ophthalmic Systems, Waltham, Mass).


RESULTS
The mean preoperative myopia in the 155 eyes of 80 patients in the 130-microm head group was -5.00+/-2.53 diopters (D) compared to -3.78+/-1.73 D in the 279 eyes of 148 patients in the 160-microm head group. The groups were otherwise similar in terms of age, preoperative cylinder, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. The geometric mean postoperative day 1 UCVA was 20/25 in the 130-microm head group compared to 20/26 in the 160-microm head group. The only flap complication in the series was a single partial flap in the 160-microm head group.


CONCLUSIONS
LASIK with a 130-microm head (thin-flap LASIK) is as visually effective and safe as when using a 160-microm head with the BD K-3000 microkeratome.
Dougherty
Paul J
PJ
Dougherty Laser Vision and Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, Calif, USA. info@doughertylaservision.com
D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity