A comparative confocal microscopy analysis after LASIK with the IntraLase femtosecond laser vs Hansatome microkeratome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare confocal microscopy findings between a femtosecond laser and a mechanical microkeratome.


METHODS
Eighteen eyes of nine patients underwent LASIK. Corneal flaps were created with the femtosecond laser in the right eyes and a mechanical microkeratome in the left eyes. The corneal flap interface was analyzed in all eyes with a confocal microscope at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively.


RESULTS
All eyes showed small reflective particles at the corneal flap interface. The mean number of reflective particles was not statistically significantly different at 1 week (P = .078) and 1 month (P = .28) using a femtosecond laser and a mechanical microkeratome.


CONCLUSIONS
Confocal microscopy findings at the corneal flap interface showed a similar number of particles using both systems.
Ramírez
Manuel
M
Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México, Hospital Luis Sánchez Bulnes, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico. mramirezf@medicasur.org.mx
Hernández-Quintela
Everardo
E
Naranjo-Tackman
Ramón
R
D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity