title: Suction loss during thin-flap femto-LASIK: management and beneficial refractive effect of the epithelium.
abstract: We report the case of a 42-year-old man who experienced loss of suction during thin-flap femto-laser in situ keratomileusis, leading to a stromal step in the superior cornea where the cutting was stopped. The procedure was converted to photorefractive keratectomy 2 weeks later. Management of the loss of suction and the beneficial role played by the epithelium postoperatively on the refractive outcomes are discussed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Refractive Surgery, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. davidsmadj@hotmail.fr
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smadja
authors.forename: Marcony R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Santhiago
authors.forename: Glauco Reggiani
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Edgar M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Espana
authors.forename: Ronald R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Krueger
mesh_terms: D057128:Aberrometry; D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D013396:Suction; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome