Contralateral assessment of sub-Bowman keratomileusis (SBK) microkeratome suction duration on laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap characteristics

摘要

Purpose To describe the effect of prolonging the standard suction duration during laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and its effect on flap thickness and hinge length using sub-Bowman keratomileusis (SBK) microkeratome. Methods Fifty-six eyes (28 patients) were included and divided into 2 groups; Group-A: eyes with flatter corneas (36 eyes, 18 patients) and mean keratometric readings ranging from 40.13 to 43.71 diopters (D). Group-B: eyes with steeper corneas (20 eyes, 10 patients) with mean keratometric readings ranging from 43.85 to 46.72?D. One-Use-Plus SBK microkeratome was used for flap creation. For right eyes, flap was created immediately once suction was built up. In left eyes, the surgeon waited for 10?s after suction was built up before flap creation. Flap hinge length and flap thickness were measured using surgical caliper and ultrasonic pachymetry, respectively. Results Statistically significant differences were observed in corneal flap hinge size between right eyes versus left eyes, with a mean of 3.98?±?0.48 vs. 3.78?±?0.55?mm ( p ?