PURPOSE: To compare flap thickness reproducibility of the femtosecond laser and two mechanical microkeratomes. METHODS: Flap thickness for all eyes was measured as the difference between the preoperative (day of surgery) full corneal thickness and post-flap creation central stromal bed thickness using ultrasonic pachymetry. Flap thickness values produced by three different microkeratome systems were compared for accuracy and reproducibility. RESULTS: For 99 flaps created using the IntraLase FS laser with an intended thickness of 110 microm, the mean achieved thickness was 119 +/- 12 microm (range: 82 to 149 microm). In 100 eyes treated with the Moria LSK-1 microkeratome with an intended flap thickness of 160 microm, the mean achieved thickness was 130 +/- 19 microm (range: 71 to 186 microm). In 135 eyes treated with the Moria M2 microkeratome with an intended flap thickness of 130 microm, mean thickness was 142 +/- 24 microm (range: 84 to 203 microm). The standard deviation and range of corneal flap thickness created with the IntraLase FS laser was significantly smaller than either mechanical microkeratome (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: When compared to two commonly used mechanical microkeratomes, mean achieved flap thickness was more reproducible with the IntraLase FS laser, reducing the comparative risk of overly thick flaps.
PURPOSE: To compare flap thickness reproducibility of the femtosecond laser and two mechanical microkeratomes. METHODS: Flap thickness for all eyes was measured as the difference between the preoperative (day of surgery) full corneal thickness and post-flap creation central stromal bed thickness using ultrasonic pachymetry. Flap thickness values produced by three different microkeratome systems were compared for accuracy and reproducibility. RESULTS: For 99 flaps created using the IntraLase FS laser with an intended thickness of 110 microm, the mean achieved thickness was 119 +/- 12 microm (range: 82 to 149 microm). In 100 eyes treated with the Moria LSK-1 microkeratome with an intended flap thickness of 160 microm, the mean achieved thickness was 130 +/- 19 microm (range: 71 to 186 microm). In 135 eyes treated with the Moria M2 microkeratome with an intended flap thickness of 130 microm, mean thickness was 142 +/- 24 microm (range: 84 to 203 microm). The standard deviation and range of corneal flap thickness created with the IntraLase FS laser was significantly smaller than either mechanical microkeratome (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: When compared to two commonly used mechanical microkeratomes, mean achieved flap thickness was more reproducible with the IntraLase FS laser, reducing the comparative risk of overly thick flaps.
Authors: Lisen Xu; Wayne H Knox; Margaret DeMagistris; Nadan Wang; Krystel R Huxlin Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2011-10-17 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: Fabricio Witzel de Medeiros; Harmeet Kaur; Vandana Agrawal; Shyam S Chaurasia; Jefferey Hammel; William J Dupps; Steven E Wilson Journal: J Refract Surg Date: 2009-10-12 Impact factor: 3.573