Corneal flap measurements in laser in situ keratomileusis using the Moria M2 automated microkeratome

PURPOSE: To evaluate accuracy and predictability and factors that influence the dimensions of the laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) corneal flap created with the Moria M2 automated microkeratome (Moria SA, Antony, France). METHODS: The flap thickness of 454 eyes of 243 consecutive patients was measured using subtraction ultrasonic pachymetry during LASIK with the Moria M2 microkeratome head 130 designed to create a 160-microm-thick flap. Flap dimensions were evaluated and measurements were correlated with preoperative parameters. A stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the factors that influenced actual flap thickness. RESULTS: The preoperative spherical equivalent refraction of the 454 eyes ranged from -12.125 diopters (D) to +6.25 D. Patient age ranged from 18 to 57 years (mean age: 31.3 +/- 8.8 years). Mean preoperative keratometric power K1 was 44.31 +/- 1.59 D and K2 was 43.32 +/- 1.54 D. Mean preoperative central comeal thickness was 552.4 +/- 32.5 microm (range: 466 to 665 microm). With an attempted thickness of 160 microm, the Moria M2 flap thickness ranged from 77 to 209 microm (mean: 153.3 +/- 19.0 microm). Mean horizontal flap diameter was 9.2 +/- 0.2 mm and mean hinge length 4.6 +/- 0.3 mm. Increasing flap thickness was found to correlate with increasing preoperative comeal thickness, younger patient age, and flatter preoperative keratometric power K1. CONCLUSIONS: Although the standard deviation of the flap thickness was relatively small, remarkable individual variation was noted. Therefore, the intraoperative calculation of the remaining stromal bed is recommended. Furthermore, the consideration of central corneal thickness, patient age, and preoperative keratometry are helpful parameters to avoid too deep ablation.