Femtosecond Laser Flap Creation for LASIK in the Setting of Previous Radial Keratotomy
Purpose
To report the outcomes of femtosecond laser flap creation for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the setting of previous radial keratotomy (RK) using novel femtosecond laser settings on a proprietary femtosecond laser platform.
Methods
The charts of 4 consecutive patients (8 eyes total) with previous RK that had femtosecond LASIK for consecutive hyperopia from September 2013 through February 2014 were reviewed. The preoperative characteristics, intraoperative details and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.
Results
All 8 eyes had successful femtosecond laser flap creation without significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) significantly improved postoperatively (p=0.0033), and no patients lost any lines in best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA).
Conclusion
Novel femtosecond laser settings described in this article provide a safe and efficacious method to perform LASIK in the setting of previous RK. Future investigations are required to validate the findings reported in this study.