Partial flap during laser in-situ keratomileusis: pathogenesis and timing of retreatment

PURPOSE: To report the timing of retreatment and clinical outcomes in patients with a partial corneal flap during laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and to describe the causes of this complication. METHODS: Retrospective review of case records of four patients (4 eyes) who had a partial corneal flap during LASIK. RESULTS: The mean age of the four patients was 23 +/- 4.7 years, and mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) refraction was -9.1 +/- 3.1 D (range, -5.5 to -13 D). A 160 microns corneal flap was attempted during the initial treatment. Retreatment with a 180 microns corneal flap was performed at a mean of 5.1 +/- 1.6 weeks (range, 4 to 7.5 weeks) after the initial procedure. There were no intraoperative complications during retreatment. Post-LASIK mean SE refraction was -1.0 +/- 1.1 D (range, +0.38 to -2.0 D), after a mean follow up of 19 +/- 15.7 weeks (range, 7 to 42 weeks). Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity decreased in one eye from 6/5 to 6/6 and was maintained in the others. CONCLUSION: LASIK retreatment can be performed as early as one month after a partial flap, if the refraction is stable and a thicker corneal flap is created.