Lasik enhancements: a comparison of lifting to recutting the flap

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the visual outcomes and incidence of complications of lifting with recutting the lamellar flap in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) enhancement surgery.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Participants: Two hundred twelve consecutive eyes undergoing a LASIK enhancement procedure at a single surgery location during a 5-year period.

Methods: Charts of participants were obtained and outcome measures obtained.

Main outcome measures: Uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, complications.

Results: Relifting of flaps was performed in 164 of 212 eyes (77.4%), and recutting of flaps was performed in 48 of 212 eyes (22.6%). There were no significant differences in early visual outcomes between the two groups. At 1 year patients had significantly better uncorrected vision if the flap was lifted rather than recut (20/24.7 vs. 20/31.3, P < 0.008). In addition, the flap lift group had a significantly more stable refraction at 1 year than did the recut group (change in spherical equivalent: +0.05 diopters (D) vs. -0.57 D). The incidence of complications did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Conclusions: LASIK enhancement surgery can be performed safely and effectively by either lifting or recutting a flap. Lifting the flap may show better long-term stability of refractive error and uncorrected acuity.