Risk Factors of Opaque Bubble Layer During LASIK Using Femtosecond Laser

Yoon, Je Moon

Risk Factors of Opaque Bubble Layer During LASIK Using Femtosecond Laser

Tuesday, April 21, 2015: 10:16 AM

Room 5A (San Diego Convention Center)

Je Moon Yoon, MD

Joo Hyun, MD

Byoung Woo Ko, MD

Dong Hui Lim, MD

Tae Young Chung, MD

Eui Sang Chung, MD

Purpose
To assess the incidence, risk factors, and the effect on visual performance of an opaque bubble layer (OBL) developed during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) by an femtosecond laser (500 kHz).

Methods
During femtosecond laser–assisted LASIK surgery, procedures were videotaped, and the patterns and sizes of the OBLs noted during the operations were analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative data included patient demographics, visual acuity, refractive error, intraocular pressure, and intraoperative data (contact location with contact glass, flap thickness, suction time).

Results
The study analyzed 142 eyes with OBL. OBL was developed in 73.2% (104 eyes). 42.3% with a soft touch and 57.7% with a hard touch were observed. Only hard corneal touch was significantly associated with development of OBL. The location of contact, flap thickness and corneal thickness were not significant risk factors in eyes that developed an OBL.

Conclusion
Cornea with thick and hard touch tended to develop an OBL during 500kHz femtosecond laser–assisted LASIK surgery. But an OBL did not affect postoperative visual acuity and refractive error.