title: Hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis: comparison of femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome flap creation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the refractive predictability and stability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap creation performed with a femtosecond laser and with a mechanical microkeratome to correct mild to moderate hyperopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who had hyperopic LASIK treatment using the Amaris excimer laser were included. Eyes in which the LDV femtosecond laser was used for flap creation were compared with eyes in which the Moria M2 microkeratome was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microkeratome group comprised 53 eyes and the femtosecond laser group, 72 eyes. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (P > .05). The mean spherical equivalent (SE) deviation from target 1 week postoperatively was -0.08 diopter (D) ± 0.58 (SD) in the femtosecond laser group and -0.06 ± 0.87 D in the microkeratome group (P = .92). Thereafter, the mean SE deviation from target increased gradually and by 6 months postoperatively was +0.30 ± 0.50 D and +0.70 ± 0.71 D, respectively (P = .001). The correlation between the achieved and the attempted SE refraction was better in the femtosecond laser group (R(2) = 0.806) than the microkeratome group (R(2) = 0.671).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the same nomogram, the short-term refractive outcomes of hyperopic LASIK with flap creation performed with the femtosecond laser were comparable to those for the microkeratome; however, the femtosecond group showed significantly better stability over the 6-month follow-up and better predictability, as reflected by a lower standard deviation and stronger Pearson correlation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dr. Arba Mosquera is an employee of Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH and Co. KG. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Antonios, Awwad), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; the Department of Research and Development (Arba Mosquera), Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH and Co. KG, Kleinostheim, Germany; the Recognized Research Group in Optical Diagnostic Techniques (Arba Mosquera), University of Valladolid, Valladolid, and the Department of Ophthalmology and Sciences of Vision (Arba Mosquera), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafic
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antonios
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Antonios, Awwad), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; the Department of Research and Development (Arba Mosquera), Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH and Co. KG, Kleinostheim, Germany; the Recognized Research Group in Optical Diagnostic Techniques (Arba Mosquera), University of Valladolid, Valladolid, and the Department of Ophthalmology and Sciences of Vision (Arba Mosquera), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arba Mosquera
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Antonios, Awwad), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; the Department of Research and Development (Arba Mosquera), Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH and Co. KG, Kleinostheim, Germany; the Recognized Research Group in Optical Diagnostic Techniques (Arba Mosquera), University of Valladolid, Valladolid, and the Department of Ophthalmology and Sciences of Vision (Arba Mosquera), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain. Electronic address: shady.awwad@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Shady T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Awwad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult