title: Analysis of microkeratome thin flap architecture using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the corneal architecture and reproducibility of LASIK flap thickness created by the Amadeus II mechanical microkeratome (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG) using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT; Optovue Inc).
  
  
  METHODS
  Anterior segment Fourier-domain OCT was used to analyze the morphology of 58 LASIK flaps from 30 patients created with the Amadeus II microkeratome 140-μm head and ML7090CLB blades (Med-Logics Inc) at 2 weeks postoperatively. Flap thickness was assessed at 10 points across the central 6 mm of the cornea (horizontal and vertical meridians). Postoperative central corneal flap thickness measured by Fourier-domain OCT was compared with intraoperative ultrasound pachymetry measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was noted between central flap thickness measured by intraoperative pachymetry (107.2 ± 14 μm) and postoperative OCT (111.7 ± 11 μm; P=.07, correlation coefficient=0.86). Fourier-domain OCT measurements demonstrated functionally planar flap architecture (standard deviation [SD] of thickness across the flap=4.9 μm, SD range across the flap=2 to 9 μm) for the microkeratome flaps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Amadeus II microkeratome with Med-Logics blades created thin, reproducible, functionally planar flaps as measured by Fourier-domain OCT. Central flap thickness measured by intraoperative ultrasound pachymetry was equivalent to that measured 2 weeks postoperatively by OCT.
authors.affiliation: Emory Eye Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Karolinne Maia
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: J Bradley
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Randleman
authors.forename: R Doyle
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stulting
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult