Thin-Flap Laser In Situ Keratomileusis-Associated Dry Eye: A Comparative Study Between Femtosecond Laser and Mechanical Microkeratome-Assisted Laser In Situ Keratomileusis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare postlaser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) dry eye after LASIK with planned thin flaps created by a femtosecond laser (FS) and mechanical microkeratome (MK).

METHODS

Patients were stratified according to the flap creation technique into FS and MK groups with planned 100 μm flap thickness in all eyes. Dry eye parameters including tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), and lower tear meniscus height and area (tear meniscus height [TMH] and tear meniscus area [TMA]) were assessed before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The study included 102 eyes of 55 patients (52 eyes underwent FS-LASIK/50 eyes underwent MK-LASIK). The preoperative characteristics including age, gender, and spherical equivalents were similar in both groups (P>0.05). The difference in postoperative flap thickness was statistically significant (P<0.05). In each group, dry eye parameters showed a statistically significant worsening (P value<0.001) at 3 months with later significant improvement at 6 months but did not return to baseline. The mean TBUT, Schirmer I, and lower TMH and TMA were statistically higher, and the mean OSDI was statistically lower in FS-LASIK than the MK-LASIK group at both 3 and 6 months (P value<0.001). The depth of ablation had a statistically significant correlation with Schirmer I at 6 months and OSDI at both 3 and 6 months post-LASIK (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The use of femtosecond laser technology in performing thin-Flap LASIK eye surgeries has improved the outcome of post-LASIK dry eye when compared with the mechanical microkeratome.