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Recutting, flap lifting equally safe, effective for enhancement
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Both recutting the cornea and lifting the flap are safe enhancement procedures post-LASIK, but flap complications are more likely in the recutting group, according to Yuval Domniz, MD. He delivered the Troutman Award lecture here during the International Society of Refractive Surgery meeting.
Dr. Domniz described a retrospective study of 318 eyes in which 263 eyes underwent recutting for enhancement after LASIK and 55 eyes underwent flap lifting. Follow-up was at 1, 3 and 6 months after the enhancement. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in spherical equivalent or cylinder after enhancement. No statistically significant differences were found in uncorrected or best corrected visual acuity.
In the recutting group, four eyes lost one line of BCVA. No eye lost two or more lines. Seven eyes in the recutting group had free flap complications. One eye had significant epithelial ingrowth that required removal. Three eyes had loose lamellar tissue that resulted in flap removal. Two eyes required arcuate incisions for residual astigmatism.
In the flap lifting group, two eyes lost one line of BCVA. No eye lost two or more lines. Two eyes had significant epithelial ingrowth, said Dr. Domniz.
Dr. Domniz is this year's recipient of the Troutman Award, “meant to stimulate research and development in refractive surgery by a young ophthalmologist,” according to Richard Troutman, MD. Dr. Troutman said Dr. Domniz is the youngest recipient of the award to date.