Femtosecond laser shows advantages over microkeratome in large series of LASIK patients

BARCELONA — LASIK flap creation with a femtosecond laser resulted in faster visual recovery and better uncorrected visual acuity compared with microkeratome flap procedures, according to a study conducted on a large series of patients.

A total of 42,143 consecutive eyes with low to moderate myopia and astigmatism were divided into two groups in which the LASIK flap was created with either the IntraLase FS60 femtosecond laser from Abbott Medical Optics or with the Moria Evo3 One-Use Plus microkeratome.

All eyes received a wavefront-guided treatment with a VISX S4 IR Advanced CustomVue excimer laser by AMO. Results were compared at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery.

"The refractive accuracy was the same for both groups, but at all time points the percentage of eyes that achieved a UCVA of 20/20 or better was significantly higher in the femtosecond laser group than in the mechanical keratome group," Steven C. Schallhorn, MD, said at the meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. "Also, a higher percentage of eyes in the femtosecond laser group achieved a postoperative UCVA of 20/16."

Less chance of BCVA loss, faster recovery, and a lower rate of complications and enhancements were also reported in the femtosecond laser group.