PURPOSE: To describe the management of resistant laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap striae using interrupted sutures. SETTING: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. METHODS: Interrupted sutures were used to treat striae in the LASIK flaps in 7 eyes of 7 patients. The mean interval from LASIK to the time of suturing was 11.8 months (range 3.0 to 29.0 months). The preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 20/20(-2) to 20/100. All patients had subjective visual complaints with spectacle correction, and all corneas had obvious macrostriae on slitlamp biomicroscopic examination. RESULTS: The mean patient follow-up was 7.0 months (range 1.5 to 14.0 months). Six patients regained a BSCVA of 20/20 or better with resolution of preoperative irregular astigmatism and subjective visual disturbance. In 1 patient, mild central striae recurred. CONCLUSION: Flap suturing was an effective means of treating visually significant flap striae.
PURPOSE: To describe the management of resistant laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap striae using interrupted sutures. SETTING: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. METHODS: Interrupted sutures were used to treat striae in the LASIK flaps in 7 eyes of 7 patients. The mean interval from LASIK to the time of suturing was 11.8 months (range 3.0 to 29.0 months). The preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 20/20(-2) to 20/100. All patients had subjective visual complaints with spectacle correction, and all corneas had obvious macrostriae on slitlamp biomicroscopic examination. RESULTS: The mean patient follow-up was 7.0 months (range 1.5 to 14.0 months). Six patients regained a BSCVA of 20/20 or better with resolution of preoperative irregular astigmatism and subjective visual disturbance. In 1 patient, mild central striae recurred. CONCLUSION: Flap suturing was an effective means of treating visually significant flap striae.