title: Blade source effect on laser in situ keratomileusis flap thickness with the Amadeus I microkeratome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of different blades on laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap thickness created with the Amadeus I microkeratome (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems).
  
  
  METHODS
  Emory University Department of Ophthalmology and Emory Vision, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective nonrandomized comparative case study from January 2005 through June 2006 compared LASIK flap thickness created with blades from 2 manufacturers: the Surepass from Surgical Instrument Systems and distributed by AMO and the ML7090 CLB distributed by Med-Logics, Inc. Sex, preoperative corneal thickness, surgical-eye sequence, flap thickness and variance, and residual stromal bed were evaluated in each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study evaluated 424 eyes of 226 patients. Surepass blades were used in 238 eyes and ML7090 CLB blades in 186 eyes. There were no significant differences between the 2 blade groups in preoperative corneal thickness, sex, or cases with corneal thickness greater than 550 microm. Mean flap thickness and variance were significantly lower in the ML7090 CLB group than in the Surepass group (P<.0001). There were no significant differences in flap thickness in either group based on sex; however, in both groups, flap thickness was significantly lower in second eyes and in eyes with a preoperative thickness less than 550 microm (P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Amadeus I microkeratome created thinner, more consistent LASIK flaps with the ML7090 CLB blade than with the Surepass blade. Preoperative corneal thickness and eye sequence affected flap thickness, while sex did not.
authors.affiliation: Emory University Department of Ophthalmology, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Adrienne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ruth
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: J Bradley
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Randleman
authors.forename: R Doyle
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stulting
mesh_terms: D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*