Dry eyes and corneal sensation after laser in situ keratomileusis with femtosecond laser flap creation Effect of hinge position, hinge angle, and flap thickness.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether corneal sensation and dry-eye signs and symptoms after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery with a femtosecond laser are affected by varying hinge position, hinge angle, or flap thickness.


METHODS
University-based academic practice, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.


METHODS
This prospective randomized contralateral-eye study evaluated eyes after bilateral myopic LASIK with a femtosecond laser (IntraLase). Superior and temporal hinge positions, 45-degree and 90-degree hinge angles, and 100 microm and 130 microm corneal flap thicknesses were compared. Postoperative follow-up at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months included central Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, a Schirmer test with anesthesia, tear breakup time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, and conjunctival lissamine green staining.


RESULTS
The study evaluated 190 consecutive eyes (95 patients). Corneal sensation was reduced at all postoperative visits, with improvement over 12 months (P<.001). There was no difference in corneal sensation between the different hinge positions, angles, or flap thicknesses at any time point. The overall ocular surface disease index score was increased at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months (P<.0001, P<.0001, and P = .046, respectively). The percentage of patients with a TBUT longer than 10 seconds was significantly lower at 1 week and 1 month (P<.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Dry-eye syndrome after myopic LASIK with a femtosecond laser was mild and improved after 3 months. Corneal flap hinge position, hinge angle, and thickness had no effect on corneal sensation or dry-eye syndrome.
Mian
Shahzad I
SI
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA. smian@umich.edu
Li
Amy Y
AY
Dutta
Satavisha
S
Musch
David C
DC
Shtein
Roni M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult