Laceration and Partial Dislocation of LASIK Flaps 7 and 4 Years Postoperatively With 20/20 Visual Acuity After Repair

PURPOSE

To report two cases of late ocular trauma resulting in laceration of corneal flaps 7 and 4 years (cases 1 and 2, respectively) after LASIK.

METHODS

A 49-year-old man sustained laceration of the flap and interface foreign body debris from construction material in the right eye 7 years after uneventful LASIK (case 1). A 33-year-old man had partial dislocation of the flap 4 years after LASIK in the left eye (case 2) due to a penetrating wood chip accident. Surgical procedures were performed to remove the foreign bodies and reposition the flaps.

RESULTS

In case 1, postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/25 with manifest refraction of –0.50 –0.50 X 110 corrected to 20/20. In case 2, UCVA was 20/20 with plano refraction after LASIK retreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal LASIK flaps are susceptible to penetrating trauma, which can occur >7 years after the procedure. Proper management of the trauma and LASIK flap can restore excellent visual acuity. [J Refract Surg. 2006;22:904-905.]

AUTHORS

From The Eye Institute of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The authors have no proprietary interest in the materials presented herein.

Correspondence: George J.C. Jin, MD, PhD, The Eye Institute of Utah, 755 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84107. Tel: 801.266.2283; Fax: 801.268.6151; E-mail: georgejin@hotmail.com

Received: February 3, 2006

Accepted: March 13, 2006

Posted online: July 31, 2006