Femtosecond-Assisted Elliptical LASIK Flap for the Correction of Post-Arcuate Keratotomy Residual Astigmatism

Abstract

We report the application of an elliptical femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap for the management of post-arcuate keratotomy (AK) residual astigmatism. An 82-year-old male was referred to our institute for evaluation of his right eye due to residual regular astigmatism 1 year after AK. On examination, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/50 and corrected distance visual acuity was 20/25 (+3.25 –5.50 × 125). Slit-lamp examination revealed two 70-arc length peripheral corneal incisions at the 7.50-mm zone. The patient underwent femtosecond-assisted LASIK for the correction of residual astigmatism. An elliptical LASIK flap was adjusted intraoperatively with a 2-dimension diameter of 7.98 × 6.69 mm in order to avoid intersection of the flap with the AK incisions. The short flap diameter was placed along the meridian of the incisions and the long diameter in the perpendicular meridian, corresponding to the excimer laser astigmatic ablation pattern. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. Six months postoperatively, UDVA improved to 20/25 with a manifest refraction of pl –0.75 × 5. No AK incision flap-related complications were observed.