title: LASIK flap breakthrough in Nd:YAG laser treatment of epithelial ingrowth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present two cases with complications after Nd:YAG laser treatment of epithelial ingrowth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dense central recurrent epithelial ingrowth was treated with a Nd:YAG laser directed at the epithelial nests in the LASIK flap interface in one case. Misalignment of the aiming beam after movement resulted in perforation of the LASIK flap, followed by renewed epithelial ingrowth through the new defect. The epithelial ingrowth receded and became more translucent as a result of the treatment, but the area of the perforation remained irregular. In another case, use of the Nd:YAG laser to treat recurrent epithelial ingrowth adjacent to the flap edge created a cavitation bubble that broke through the flap edge, creating a new epithelial channel through which ingrowth recurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surface breakthrough and renewed epithelial ingrowth is a possible complication of Nd:YAG laser treatment of epithelial ingrowth.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lapid-Gortzak
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Carla P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Nieuwendaal
authors.forename: Maarten P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mourits
authors.forename: Ivanka J E
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: van der Meulen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects*; D045423:Microbubbles; D012008:Recurrence; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D003907:Dexamethasone