Flap Complications of Lasik

Flap Complications of Lasik. Flap Dislocation of Lasik Eye Surgery © 2019 American Academy of Ophthalmology

Flap Complications of Lasik

 

 

Flap creation is the first step in lasik surgery and it can be associated with complications which are related to abnormal cut in which there will be creation of thin flaps, button holes, free cap and formation of folds and striae.

The incidence of these complications is more in mechanical microkeratome than that of Femtosecond Microkeratome which will give better control of the flap creation.

 

Flap Complications of Lasik Eye Surgery are:

1- Thin Flap

In this type of flap complications,the formed flap is thin in which the thickness is less than 60 μm.It is formed when the microkeratome cut within or above the bowman’s layer.

Buttonhole flap occur when the microkeratome invade the epithelium and there will be tears or holes in the flap.

The ablation should not be done over the epithelium and there will high risk of epithelial ingrowth and haze over this area which require further treatments.

Causes are abnormal corneal curvature like too steep cornea or too flap cornea, low blades quality, slow oscillations, loss of suction during flap creation and the suction ring do not fit properly on the globe.

 

 

Management of thin Flap

In case the flap is complete and is beyond the optical zone and without buttonholes, the procedure and be continuing with caution when reposition the flap because there will be high incidence of wrinkles.

In case of thin flap that is not beyond the optical zone or there is buttonhole:

 

  • Reposition of the flap.
  • Abort the procedure.
  • Apply bandage contact lens in the first few days.
  • The procedure can be done later after 12 weeks.

 

Prevention of Thin Flap

  • Maintenance of the suction during the flap creation.

  • Using the proper suction ring according to K values,corneal diameter.

  • Measuring of the intraocular pressure during the suction procedure which will give us a clue about the proper suction.

  • Use high quality blades of the microkeratome.

  • Proper sitting of microkeratome.

 



2- Incomplete Flap

It occur when the flap creation stop before the reach the hinge.

Management

  • In case the premature hinge on the optical zone, we should treat it as in thin flap or the procedure can be changed to photorefractive keratectomy.

  • In case the hinge is beyond the optical zone, the cut can be continued manually with special surgical knife and the optical zone can be ablated.



3- Dislocated Flap

Factors that increase the risk of flap complications are large flap diameter, thin flap and small hinge and its incidence with mechanical keratometer is more than that with Femtosecond microkeratome.

It mainly occurs after squeezing or rubbing the eyelid and it is an emergency case and should be treated as soon as possible before further complications occur.

The flap should be repositioned with adequate alignment and before reposition of the flap, the corneal stromal bed should be irrigated aggressively to remove any epithelial cells or debris. Bandage contact lens can be applied after the reposition to decrease unwanted movement of the flap.

To prevent dislocation of the flap, the hinge should be superiorly positioned to decrease flap edge displacement with blinking, using contact lenses after surgery.

 

 

4- Free Cap
 

Lasik Free CapIn which the flap is completely dislocated from the cornea and there will be no hinge.

In case the free cap is complete and beyond the optical zone, the flap can be placed on the conjunctiva and the surgeon can precede the ablation of the stroma and then reposition the flap.

If the flap is small and not beyond the optical zone or it is decentered, the procedure should be aborted. This free cap should be repositioned and can be fixed with either suturing or surgical air with contact lens.

In case the free cap is lost completely, the exposed stroma is left to heal and in the future we can do either PRK or corneal graft surgery.


Folds in Lasik Flap
5- Flap Folds

In this type of flap complications there will be wrinkles on the flaps and this will cause secondary astigmatism and optical aberration and can after the best corrected vision Its incidence is increased in patients with high myopia and hyperopia.

 

 

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