Confocal microscopy of disposable and nondisposable heads for the Moria M2 microkeratome.
OBJECTIVE
To study the quality of the flap obtained with two different heads, disposable and nondisposable, and two different speeds, low and high, using the same Moria M2 microkeratome (Moria, Antony, France).


METHODS
In a prospective randomized study, 51 consecutive eyes (28 patients) underwent myopic LASIK (-4.39 +/- 2.15 diopters). The eyes were randomly assigned to four groups related to cutting head model (disposable and nondisposable) and cut speed (low and high). In all cases, the intended cut was 160 microm and the same M2 unit was used. During surgery, superficial measurements of the flap and the surgeon's opinion about the quality of the cut were recorded. One month after LASIK, the cut depth, interface particle density, and transparency of the cornea (confocal wound healing opacity index) were measured with a confocal microscope.


RESULTS
Flaps performed with a disposable cutting head and high speed were statistically significantly larger than the flaps created in the other groups (Kruskal-Wallis test; P = .041). No statistical differences were noted in cut depth, number of particles, and wound healing opacity index. The surgeon's opinion parameters were similar in all groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The Moria M2 microkeratome is safe and provided reproducible results, regardless of cutting head and speed. Disposable and nondisposable head models were similar in their outcome in the quality control model used in this study.
Javaloy
Jaime
J
Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, VISSUM, Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, School of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain. jjavaloy@coma.es
Vidal
María T
MT
Ruiz-Moreno
Jose M
JM
Alió
Jorge L
JL
D003315:Cornea / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009216:Myopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties; D014945:Wound Healing