PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of hyperthermia for the treatment of long-standing corneal flap striae after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: TLC Laser Eye Center, Garden City, New York, USA. METHODS: Patients with visually significant flap striae at least 3 weeks post-LASIK were offered hyperthermic treatment. The central 6.0 mm of epithelium was removed from affected corneas, and the flaps were elevated. A striae removal spatula was heated to 65 degrees C in sterile water, and both sides of the flaps were mechanically massaged with the spatula for 5 to 10 minutes until the striae were visually reduced. RESULTS: Thirty-six eyes of 34 patients were treated with hyperthermia to remove corneal striae. All patients had a clinical reduction in striae. The mean pretreatment best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/44, improving to 20/25 on follow-up (mean follow-up 16.4 months). Patients subjectively noted reduced haze and glare and no loss of BCVA. There were no serious flap complications. CONCLUSION: Hyperthermic treatment is a safe, effective treatment option for corneal striae after LASIK.
PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of hyperthermia for the treatment of long-standing corneal flap striae after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: TLC Laser Eye Center, Garden City, New York, USA. METHODS:Patients with visually significant flap striae at least 3 weeks post-LASIK were offered hyperthermic treatment. The central 6.0 mm of epithelium was removed from affected corneas, and the flaps were elevated. A striae removal spatula was heated to 65 degrees C in sterile water, and both sides of the flaps were mechanically massaged with the spatula for 5 to 10 minutes until the striae were visually reduced. RESULTS: Thirty-six eyes of 34 patients were treated with hyperthermia to remove corneal striae. All patients had a clinical reduction in striae. The mean pretreatment best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/44, improving to 20/25 on follow-up (mean follow-up 16.4 months). Patients subjectively noted reduced haze and glare and no loss of BCVA. There were no serious flap complications. CONCLUSION: Hyperthermic treatment is a safe, effective treatment option for corneal striae after LASIK.