Femtosecond Laser versus Mechanical Microkeratome for LASIK. A Randomized Controlled Study

Sanjay V. Patel, Leo J. Maguire, Jay W. McLaren, David O. Hodge, William M. Bourne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

112 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To compare corneal haze (backscattered light) and visual outcomes between fellow eyes randomized to LASIK with the flap created by a femtosecond laser (bladeless) or with the flap created by a mechanical microkeratome. Design: Randomized, controlled, paired-eye study. Participants: Twenty-one patients (42 eyes) received LASIK for myopia or myopic astigmatism. Methods: One eye of each patient was randomized to flap creation with a femtosecond laser (IntraLase FS, IntraLase Corp., Irvine, CA) with intended thickness of 120 μm, and the fellow eye to flap creation with a mechanical microkeratome (Hansatome, Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) with intended thickness of 180 μm. Patients were examined before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after LASIK. Main Outcome Measures: Corneal backscatter, high-contrast visual acuity, manifest refractive error, contrast sensitivity, and intraocular forward light scatter were measured at each examination. Flap thickness was measured by confocal microscopy at 1 month, and patients were asked if they preferred the vision in either eye at 3 months. Results: Corneal backscatter was 6% higher after bladeless LASIK than after LASIK with the mechanical microkeratome at 1 month (P = 0.007), but not at 3 or 6 months. High-contrast visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and forward light scatter did not differ between treatments at any examination. Flap thicknesses at 1 month were 143±16 μm (bladeless, mean ± standard deviation) and 138±22 μm (mechanical microkeratome), with no statistical difference in variances. At 3 months, 5 patients preferred the bladeless eye, 7 patients preferred the microkeratome eye, and 9 patients had no preference. Conclusions: The method of flap creation did not affect visual outcomes during the first 6 months after LASIK. Although corneal backscatter was greater early after bladeless LASIK than LASIK with the mechanical microkeratome, patients did not perceive a difference in vision.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1482-1490
Number of pages9
JournalOphthalmology
Volume114
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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