Traumatic flap dislocation 10 years after LASIK. Case report and literature review

Management of late traumatic LASIK flap dislocation related to dog scratch 16 Years postoperatively

Purpose

This report details a case of an unusual late dislocation of a laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap due to animal-related trauma 16 years after the initial surgery.

Observations

A 59-year-old woman with history of LASIK surgery on both eyes 16 years prior, and uncomplicated cataract surgery on the left eye (oculus sinister; OS) 3 years prior, arrived at our institution with sudden painful visual loss 3 hours after receiving a scratch on OS from her dog. Corneal examination revealed a completely displaced nasally hinged LASIK flap folded irregularly over the hinge, with multiple creases over its entire thickness. The flap was intact but edematous and opaque, with detritus present both on the flap surface and stromal face. Treatment was initiated with topical moxifloxacin and oral clindamycin. The next morning, the flap was refloated, and debris was removed from both sides of the flap while irrigating with preservative-free moxifloxacin. The flap was repositioned and a bandage contact lens placed. Postoperative topical medication included moxifloxacin, prednisolone acetate, and sodium hyaluronate. At the final follow-up visit, the patient was asymptomatic, with a measured uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/25 OS.

Conclusion and importance

This uncommon case highlights the longest reported interval—16 years— between initial surgery and traumatic LASIK flap displacement, caused by animal-related trauma. Patients experiencing LASIK surgery complications, including contaminated trauma many years after the original ablation, can still recover excellent visual acuity when managed appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Comparison of ReLEx SMILE and PRK in terms of visual and refractive outcomes for the correction of low myopia

PURPOSE

To compare the objective and subjective quality of vision after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low myopia.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty eyes from 60 patients (34 females, 26 males) undergoing bilateral correction of low myopia (≤-4 D SE) with either ReLEx SMILE or PRK were included. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and higher-order aberrations were recorded preoperatively and compared postoperatively. A quality of vision questionnaire was scored and analyzed 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

At 3 months, the SMILE group had significantly better uncorrected and corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA), compared to PRK group (p = 0.01). Post-op spherical equivalent (SE) was comparable in both groups (SMILE = -0.15 ± 0.19 D, PRK = -0.14 ± 0.23 D, p = 0.72). However, SE predictability was better in SMILE group with 97% eyes within ±0.05 D compared to 93% eyes in the PRK group. Total higher-order aberrations (HOAs) were significantly higher in PRK compared to the SMILE group (p = 0.022). The SMILE group demonstrated slightly better contrast sensitivity, which was significant at spatial frequency of 12 cpd (p = 0.03). Four eyes in the PRK group had loss of CDVA by one line due to mild haze.

CONCLUSIONS

Both SMILE and PRK were effective procedures for correction of low myopia. However, SMILE offered superior quality of vision and patient satisfaction due to better postoperative comfort and lower induction of aberrations at 3 months.

Traumatic corneal flap displacement after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)

Background

Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most common and popular procedure performed for the correction of refractive errors in the last two decades. We report a case of traumatic flap displacement with flap folding which occurred 3 years after LASIK was performed. Previous literature suggests that vision prognosis would be closely related to proper and prompt management of traumatic flap displacement with flap folding 3 years after LASIK.

Case presentation

A 23-year-old female presented to our hospital who had undergone uneventful LASIK in both eyes 3 years prior. Unfortunately, she had suffered a blunt trauma in her right eye in a car accident. A late onset of corneal flap displacement was found with upper and lower portion of the flap being folded inside the corneal bed. Surgical intervention for debridement with subsequent reposition of corneal flap was performed as soon as possible in the operating room. A bandage contact lens was placed, and topical antibiotic and corticosteroids were given postoperatively. Two days after the operation, the displaced corneal flap was found to be well attached smoothly on the corneal bed without folds. The best-corrected visual acuity was 6/6 with refraction of −0.75 D to 1.0 D ×175° in her right eye 1 month later.

Literature review

We reviewed a total of 19 published cases of late-onset traumatic flap dislocations or displacements after LASIK with complete data from 2000 to 2014.

Conclusion

Traumatic displacement of corneal flaps after LASIK may occur after blunt injury with specific direction of force to the flap margin, especially tangential one. According to the previous literature, late-onset traumatic flap displacement may happen at any time after LASIK and be caused by various types of injuries. Fortunately, good visual function could mostly be restored with immediate and proper management.

Full-Thickness Astigmatic Keratotomy Combined With Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction to Treat High-Level and Mixed Astigmatism

PURPOSE

To explore the clinical effects of combined full-thickness astigmatic keratotomy and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in patients who are inoperable using SMILE alone.

METHODS

We included 13 eyes of 9 patients with high-level or mixed astigmatism who underwent full-thickness astigmatic keratotomy followed by SMILE (secondarily) to correct the residual refractive error.

RESULTS

Six months after SMILE, the spherical equivalent was reduced from -4.83 ± 3.26 D to -0.17 ± 0.38 D (P < 0.001), and the astigmatism was reduced from 5.12 ± 0.96 D to 0.21 ± 0.22 D (P < 0.001). The uncorrected and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities improved from 1.07 ± 0.62 to 0.02 ± 0.13 (P < 0.001) and from 0.08 ± 0.14 to -0.01 ± 0.14 (P = 0.002), respectively. The CDVA improved by 1 or 2 Snellen lines in 8 cases (61.5%), and there was no loss in CDVA. All procedures were completed without intraoperative or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This combined procedure was effective and safe for the treatment of high-level or mixed astigmatism.

One-year outcomes of small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE): mild to moderate myopia vs. high myopia

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the refractive outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in high-myopic patients with those of mild- to moderate-myopic patients.

Methods

This study included 183 eyes of 92 myopic patients treated with SMILE using a VisuMax 500-kHz femtosecond laser. Treated eyes were divided into two groups, according to the preoperative spherical equivalent (SE): mild to moderate myopia (A group, <−6.0 D) and high myopia (B group, ≥ − 6.0 D). Follow-up visits were at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The outcome measures included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (BDVA), postoperative SE, efficacy index, safety index, and predictability.

Results

Preoperative SE was −5.05 ± 0.71 D in the A group and −7.67 ± 1.01 D in the B group. No differences were observed between −0.13 ± 0.38 D in the A group and −0.24 ± 0.35 D in the B group 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.18). At 12 months postoperatively, 93.1 % and 76.8 % had an UDVA of 20/20 or better in the A and B groups, respectively. In the A group, 87.9 % and 96.6 % were within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D, respectively, of the intended correction; in the B group, 88.0 % and 97.6 % were within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D, respectively. The efficacy index was 1.04 ± 0.19 in the A group and 0.99 ± 0.19 in the B group. The safety index was 1.27 ± 0.17 for the A group and 1.24 ± 0.17 for the B group. The efficacy and safety index were not significantly different between the two groups 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.141 and p = 0.307, respectively).

Conclusions

This study showed that SMILE is effective and safe for correcting high myopia, as well as mild to moderate myopia.

Application of cold patch in relieving pain after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy

Although photorefractive keratectomy often results in better corneal stability and fewer corneal flap complications than LASIK, pain remains a major drawback of the procedure. The authors compared the safety and efficacy of a postoperative cold patch versus intraoperative application of a chilled balanced salt solution on transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy-related postoperative pain.

BACKGROUND:

A return toward toward photorefractive keratectomy has occurred due to better corneal stability and fewer corneal flap complications; however, pain remains a major drawback of the procedure. Currently, clinical pain control measures focus on the administration of pain medications, which may delay corneal epithelial healing and has, occasionally, led to serious corneal toxicity.

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the safety and efficacy of a cold patch on postoperative pain and other relevant consequences of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.

METHODS:

A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted. Forty patients (80 eyes) scheduled to undergo transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy for myopia or myopic astigmatism were randomly and equally assigned to be treated with ice-cold balanced salt solution during surgery (wash group) or to wear a postoperative cold patch on the eye for 24 h. The main outcomes were pain score on a visual analogue scale, postoperative eyelid edema, conjunctival hyperemia, epithelial healing time, haze and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity.

RESULTS:

All patients completed the final tests. Demographic characteristics and pain scores during surgery were similar between the two groups. The mean postoperative pain scores of patients in the cold patch group at 8 h, 16 h and 24 h were significantly lower than those of patients in the wash group. Scores for postoperative eyelid edema and conjunctival hyperemia in the cold patch group were also lower than in the wash group. Patients in the cold patch group used fewer painkillers. Epithelial healing time, haze and early recovery of visual acuity were similar between the two groups. No eyelid frostbite was observed.

CONCLUSION:

Wearing a cold patch on the eye after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy effectively relieved pain and inflammation, and reduced the use of painkillers without any side effects.

Efficacy, predictability, and safety of small incision lenticule extraction: 6-months prospective cohort study

Background

To report our experience with small incision lenticule extraction ("SMILE") for myopia treatment.

Methods

In this prospective clinical study, we evaluated 447 eyes from 224 patients with myopia, with and without astigmatism. We followed the patients for 6 months after SMILE.

Results

The mean (±standard deviation, SD) spherical equivalent was -6.75 ± 1.65 diopters (D) preoperatively and -0.21 ± 0.37 D at 6 months postoperatively. Our data showed that 97.9% of eyes were within ±1.0 D and 86.1% were within ±0.5 D of the intended correction. Furthermore, 79.8% had an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 0 logMAR or less (20/20 or better in the Snellen equivalent) 6 months after surgery. Additionally, 48.5% remained unchanged, 41% gained one line of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), 7.2% gained two lines of CDVA, 3.3% lost one line of CDVA, and 0.3% lost two or more lines of CDVA. Age was the only predictor for worsening UDVA at 6 months postoperatively in linear regression analyses (0.07 decrease logMAR per increased 10 years of age; P < 0.05). No predictor showed an association with error in spherical equivalent refraction at 6 months postoperatively.

Conclusions

SMILE is an effective and safe refractive surgery. Age was the only predictor that influenced visual outcome, but its effect appeared clinically insignificant. Faster visual recovery is also expected with improved surgical technique.