Stromal haze after laser in situ keratomileusis: clinical and confocal microscopy findings.

PURPOSE

To report clinical and confocal microscopy characteristics of haze-like opacities in corneas after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

METHODS

Eighteen eyes of 11 patients with clinically apparent corneal clouding were examined by slitlamp and confocal microscopy (Confoscan P4, Tomey) 1 to 9 months after primary LASIK or LASIK retreatment.

RESULTS

Postoperative slitlamp examination showed faint, white, snowflake-like clouding at the interface level in all patients. One patient had folds and rather diffuse haze-like opacities. Confocal microscopy revealed highly reflective structures in the flap stroma and at the interface level in all patients, probably due to numerous activated keratocytes and their processes. The confocal microscopy appearance was similar to that of photorefractive keratectomy haze.

CONCLUSION

Focal wound-healing reactions in the central flap stroma and interface resulting in significant keratocyte activation could be observed after LASIK.