Optical coherence tomography for evaluation of anatomical changes in the cornea after laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To examine the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in evaluating anatomical changes after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and complications related to the interface and corneal flap. SETTING: Istanbul University Eye Research Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: Eleven eyes of 11 patients who had myopic LASIK were included in the study. Mean age of the 7 men and 4 women was 29.4 years +/- 6.9 (SD). Cases analyzed included uneventful LASIK (4 eyes), epithelial ingrowth (5 eyes), and flap striae (2 eyes). Corneas were examined by OCT (Humphrey Systems). RESULTS: Optical coherence tomography resolved corneal flap and residual stromal layers in all cases. The mean thickness of the corneal flap and residual stroma was 138.2 +/- 16.5 microm and 321.7 +/- 32.1 microm, respectively. Interface between the corneal flap and residual stroma was shown by OCT. Optical coherence tomography revealed that the eye with flap striae had flap displacement undetected by biomicroscopy. Epithelial ingrowth was shown as a highly reflective area. CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography appears to be a promising method for evaluating anatomical changes in the cornea after LASIK.