Analysis of Microkeratome Thin Flap Architecture Using Fourier-domain Optical Coherence Tomography

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: James Randleman, Emory University; Karolinne Maia Rocha, Emory Vision and Emory Eye Center; R. Doyle Stulting, Emory Vision and Emory Eye Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-10-01
• Publisher: Slack Inc.
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: ©2021 Healio All Rights Reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/1081597X-20110812-03
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Refractive Surgery
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 10
• Start Page: 759
• End Page: 763
• Grant/Funding Information: Supported in part by Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. New York, New York, and the National Institutes of Health Core Grant P30 EYO6360, Bethesda, Maryland.
• Keywords: FEMTOSECOND LASER; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Ophthalmology; THICKNESS; ULTRASOUND PACHYMETRY; REPRODUCIBILITY; VISUAL OUTCOMES; Science & Technology; REFRACTIVE OUTCOMES; LASIK; Surgery; IN-SITU KERATOMILEUSIS
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Opthamology

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the corneal architecture and reproducibility of LASIK flap thickness created by the Amadeus II mechanical microkeratome (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG) using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT; Optovue Inc). METHODS: Anterior segment Fourier-domain OCT was used to analyze the morphology of 58 LASIK flaps from 30 patients created with the Amadeus II microkeratome 140-μm head and ML7090CLB blades (Med-Logics Inc) at 2 weeks postoperatively. Flap thickness was assessed at 10 points across the central 6 mm of the cornea (horizontal and vertical meridians). Postoperative central corneal flap thickness measured by Fourierdomain OCT was compared with intraoperative ultrasound pachymetry measurements. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between central flap thickness measured by intraoperative pachymetry (107.2±14 μm) and postoperative OCT (111.7±11 μm; P=.07, correlation coefficient=0.86). Fourier-domain OCT measurements demonstrated functionally planar flap architecture (standard deviation [SD] of thickness across the flap=4.9 μm, SD range across the flap=2 to 9 μm) for the microkeratome flaps. CONCLUSIONS: The Amadeus II microkeratome with Med-Logics blades created thin, reproducible, functionally planar flaps as measured by Fourier-domain OCT. Central flap thickness measured by intraoperative ultrasound pachymetry was equivalent to that measured 2 weeks postoperatively by OCT.