Traumatic epithelial flap detachment after laser subepithelial keratomileusis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report a case of corneal epithelial flap detachment 20 days after laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).

METHODS:

A 30-year-old man underwent LASEK for correction of myopia. On postoperative day 8, he was comfortable and the corneal epithelium healed completely with uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/20. On postoperative day 20, the corneal epithelial flap on the right eye detached and was lost during pressure patching after puncture of the hordeolum.

RESULTS:

The corneal defect was treated with a bandage contact lens, levofloxacin, and hyaluronic acid eye drops. Ten days after detachment, UCVA had improved to 20/20 and the epithelium had closed completely.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mild trauma can cause epithelial flap detachment during the early postoperative period of LASEK.

• Authors: Kazuo Tsuji, Takahiro Yamamoto, Yoshiko Hori-Komai, Ikuko Toda, Kazuo Tsubota
• Journal: Journal of refractive surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995) (J Refract Surg) Vol. 22 Issue 3 Pg. 305-7 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 1081-597X [Print] United States
• PMID: 16602321 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Epithelium, Corneal (injuries, pathology)
• Eye Injuries (pathology)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted
• Male
• Myopia (surgery)
• Postoperative Complications
• Surgical Flaps