Corneal flap thickness with the Moria M2™ microkeratome and Med-Logics calibrated LASIK blades
June 5th, 2009 Posted by: admin
Purpose: This study aimed to compare and study potential factors that affect the accuracy of corneal flap thickness created in laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the Moria model 2 (M2[trade]) head 130 microkeratome with the Med-Logics calibrated LASIK blades Minus 20 (ML [ndash]20) and Minus 30 (ML [ndash]30).Methods: Corneal thickness in 200 (164 myopic and 36 hyperopic) eyes (100 patients) was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry preoperatively and intraoperatively after flap cutting. A total of 100 eyes were treated with the ML [ndash]20 and 100 with the ML [ndash]30. The right eye was operated before the left eye in each patient, using the same blade. In an additional group of 40 eyes, the left eye was operated first.Results: Mean corneal flap thickness using the ML [ndash]20 blade for an intended flap thickness of 140 [mu]m was 129.1 [mu]m (standard deviation [SD] 15.6, range 104[ndash]165 [mu]m) in right eyes and 111.5 [mu]m (SD 14.5, range 78[ndash]144 [mu]m) in left eyes. Mean corneal flap thickness using the ML [ndash]30 blade for an intended flap thickness of 130 [mu]m was 127.1 [mu]m (SD 16.6, range 90[ndash]168 [mu]m) in right eyes and 109.9 [mu]m (SD 16.8, range 72[ndash]149 [mu]m) in left eyes.Conclusions: Both microkeratome blade types cut thinner flaps than were intended. There was substantial variation in flap thickness. The first flap to be cut with a particular blade was considerably thicker than the second flap cut with the same blade. Based on these data, we recommend the use of disposable single-use microkeratomes rather than these ML blades.
