Thin-flap LASIK improves UDVA, yields high satisfaction rate

J Refract Surg. 2011;27(4):251-259.

Despite significant higher-order aberrations, thin-flap LASIK yielded strong visual and refractive outcomes and high patient satisfaction, a study found.

"The creation of a thinner flap is less invasive to the cornea, helping reduce the risk of ectasia by leaving a larger residual stroma," the study authors said. "The thinner flap also helps preserve nerves in the stroma, decreasing the severity and duration of dry eye."

The prospective study included 94 eyes of 47 patients. Mean patient age was 33.1 years. Eyes had 0.25 D to 9 D of myopia and astigmatism of 3.25 D or less.

The IntraLase FS60 femtosecond laser was used to create flaps with intended thickness of 120 µm in one eye and 90 µm in the fellow eye. Ablation was performed with the Visx S4 excimer laser.

Preoperatively, eyes in the 120-µm group had mean logMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity of 1.207, sphere of -4.15 D and cylinder of 0.61 D. The 90-µm group had mean logMAR UDVA of 1.216, sphere of -4.04 D and cylinder of 0.68 D.

At 6 months, the 120-µm group had mean logMAR UDVA of -0.064, sphere of -0.131 D and cylinder of 0.194 D. The 90-µm group had mean logMAR UDVA of -0.051, sphere of -0.125 D and cylinder of 0.194 D.

All between-group differences were statistically insignificant.

Significant increases in higher-order aberrations were identified in both groups (P ≤ .003). However, patients in both groups reported significantly increased quality of life (P ≤ .002), the authors reported.