title: Successful treatment of recurrent epithelial ingrowth associated with interface fluid syndrome, flap necrosis, and epithelial defects following LASIK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to report the successful treatment of two patients who developed flap necrosis preceded by recurrent epithelial ingrowth and interface fluid syndrome after LASIK.
  
  
  METHODS
  patient 1 was treated with epithelial debridement and flap suturing. Patient 2 was initially treated with epithelial debridement and flap suturing, but developed recurrent epithelial ingrowth in the right eye and 2 weeks later in the left eye.
  
  
  RESULTS
  patient 1 developed diffuse interface fluid accumulation in the left eye after epithelial debridement and flap suturing and was treated with timolol meleate 0.5% solution and methazolamide. The interface fluid resolved and the cornea and flap became clear. Slit-lamp examination identified a small area of epithelial ingrowth recurrence, which has remained stable for 3 years. Patient 2 was successfully retreated with epithelial debridement followed by fibrin tissue adhesive application. Five months after debridement and fibrin tissue adhesive, no recurrence of epithelial ingrowth or interface fluid accumulation was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  epithelial ingrowth and interface fluid syndrome may be associated with secondary flap necrosis following LASIK, which can be effectively treated with debridement and flap suturing or fibrin tissue adhesive application.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois Eye Ear Infirmary, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Saba J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Elderkin
authors.forename: Randy J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: Dianna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Seldomridge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001826:Body Fluids; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D003646:Debridement; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008704:Methazolamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009336:Necrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D013999:Timolol; D008704:Methazolamide