title: Evaluating the speed of visual recovery following thin-flap LASIK with a femtosecond laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the speed of visual recovery following myopic thin-flap LASIK with a femtosecond laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot study prospectively evaluated 20 eyes from 10 patients who underwent bilateral simultaneous LASIK with the Femto LDV Crystal Line femtosecond laser (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG) used to create a circular flap of 9.0-mm diameter and 110-μm thickness followed by photoablation with the Allegretto Wave Eye-Q (WaveLight AG) excimer laser. Binocular and monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), monocular contrast sensitivity, and a patient questionnaire were evaluated during the first hours, 1 day, and 1 month postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For monocular UDVA, 100% of eyes were 20/40 at 1 hour and 100% were 20/25 at 4 hours. For binocular UDVA, all patients achieved 20/32 by 30 minutes and 20/20 by 4 hours. Low frequency contrast sensitivity returned to preoperative baseline by 1 hour (P=.73), and showed a statistically significant improvement over baseline by 4 hours (P=.01). High frequency monocular contrast sensitivity returned to preoperative baseline by 4 hours (P=.48), and showed a statistically significant improvement by 1 month (P=.04). At 2 and 4 hours, 50% and 100% of patients, respectively, indicated that they would feel comfortable driving.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual recovery after thin-flap femtosecond LASIK is rapid, occurring within the first few hours after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA. ddurrie@durrievision.com
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Durrie
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Brinton
authors.forename: Michele R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.forename: Erin D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Stahl
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001334:Automobile Driving; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult