Laceration and partial dislocation of LASIK flaps 7 and 4 years postoperatively with 20/20 visual acuity after repair.
OBJECTIVE
To report two cases of late ocular trauma resulting in laceration of corneal flaps 7 and 4 years (cases 1 and 2, respectively) after LASIK.


METHODS
A 49-year-old man sustained laceration of the flap and interface foreign body debris from construction material in the right eye 7 years after uneventful LASIK (case 1). A 33-year-old man had partial dislocation of the flap 4 years after LASIK in the left eye (case 2) due to a penetrating wood chip accident. Surgical procedures were performed to remove the foreign bodies and reposition the flaps.


RESULTS
In case 1, postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/25 with manifest refraction of -0.50 -0.50 x 110 corrected to 20/20. In case 2, UCVA was 20/20 with piano refraction after LASIK retreatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal LASIK flaps are susceptible to penetrating trauma, which can occur >7 years after the procedure. Proper everamanage ment of the trauma and LASIK flap can restore excellent visual acuity.
Jin
George J C
GJ
The Eye Institute of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107, USA. georgejin@hotmail.com
Merkley
Kevin H
KH
D000328:Adult; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D022125:Lacerations / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology