Femtosecond-Assisted Laser in situ Keratomileusis with de novo Flap Creation Following Previous Microkeratome Laser in situ Keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with previous microkeratome LASIK using a femtosecond laser platform to create a de novo flap. METHODS: The charts of 17 patients that underwent femtosecond-assisted LASIK with de novo flap creation for consecutive refractive error following previous microkeratome LASIK were retrospectively reviewed at a single private practice institution. The baseline characteristics, intraoperative findings and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: All 17 eyes underwent femtosecond-assisted LASIK with de novo flap creation without significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Uncorrected visual acuity improved postoperatively (p<0.0001) and remained stable at 6 months follow-up. None of the subjects lost any lines of best spectacle corrected visual acuity or developed epithelial ingrowth during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: The femtosecond laser technique described in this report can provide a safe and effective method to deliver LASIK following previous microkeratome LASIK. Future investigations are required to further validate the findings in this study.