Short-term complications of femtosecond laser–assisted laser in situ keratomileusis cuts: Review of 1210 consecutive cases

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate short-term complications after femtosecond laser cuts for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive case series. METHODS: Consecutive femtosecond laser cuts (1210 cuts in 624 patients) from LASIK performed with the Intralase FS60 between 2006 and 2014 were analyzed. The analysis looked at intraoperative and postoperative complications at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month and factors with potential impact on the complication rate, such as ablation depth. RESULTS: No irregular, incomplete, or thin flaps, buttonholes, gas breakthrough, or free caps were observed. Intraoperatively, incomplete side cuts were observed in 4 cases (0.3%). Three of the 4 occurred during the first year of femtosecond laser usage and were explained by a software problem. Epithelial defects, limbal bleeding, and decentered flaps without negative impact on outcome were observed in 45 (3.7%), 12 (1.0%), and 5 (0.4%) eyes, respectively, on the treatment date. Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) stage 1 was observed in 69 (5.7%), 36 (3.0%), and 3 (0.2%) eyes at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month, respectively, and DLK stage 2 in 20 (1.7%), 6 (0.5%), and 2 (0.2%) eyes, respectively. An increase in total ablation depth resulted in a higher incidence of microstriae (P < .01 at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month). An increase in the optical zone resulted in a significantly higher incidence of epithelial ingrowth at 1 day and 1 week (P < .01). CONCLUSION: No major cut-related complications were observed. The femtosecond laser is a safe option to create a flap in LASIK. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Proprietary or commercial disclosures are listed after the references.