Femtosecond-Assisted Elliptical LASIK Flap for the Correction of Post-Arcuate Keratotomy Residual Astigmatism

Arcuate keratotomy (AK) is a well-established technique for the management of residual astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty or cataract surgery [1, 2]. It involves the manual or femtosecond-assisted creation of one or more relaxing arc-shaped incisions in the corneal stroma along the steepest corneal meridian [1, 2]. However, the development of astigmatism regression following AK often necessitates lengthening or additional AKs [3]. Different enhancement methods, such as photorefractive keratectomy and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) have also been proposed [4, 5].

The advent of femtosecond laser in the field of corneal refractive surgery has revolutionized flap creation in LASIK [6]. Femtosecond laser allows the formation of an elliptical flap customized to the ablation profile [7]. Considering the potential complications related to flap creation in the presence of previous incisional surgery, we introduce a femtosecond-assisted method of creating a customized elliptical flap in order to avoid intersection with the existing AK incisions allowing ablation for astigmatic correction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of femtosecond-assisted elliptical LASIK flap creation for the management of post-AK residual astigmatism.

Αn 82-year-old male was referred to our institute for evaluation of his right eye due to residual astigmatism 1 year after AK. AK had been performed for astigmatic correction due to phaco-burn after cataract surgery. On examination, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/50 and corrected distance visual acuity was 20/25 (+3.25 –5.50 × 125). Slit-lamp examination revealed two 70-arc length peripheral corneal incisions at the 7.50-mm zone. The topography astigmatic pattern was regular with a minimum corneal thickness of 516 μm (Fig. 1a). A written informed consent was obtained, and the patient underwent femtosecond-assisted LASIK for the correction of residual astigmatism.

The procedure was performed under topical anesthesia. A femtosecond laser Femto LDV Z8 (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems, Port, Switzerland) was utilized. To avoid intersection of the flap with the AK incisions at 7.50 mm, we decided to use the elliptical flap mode and place the short diameter along the meridian of the incisions and the long diameter in the perpendicular meridian. The ablation pattern was adjusted to remain within the limits of the exposed stromal bed and we took advantage of the elliptical flap shape. A corneal elliptical LASIK flap with a 2-dimension diameter of 7.98 × 6.69 mm and a planned depth of 110 μm, a nasally based 0.6-mm hinge and a 90° side cut angle was created. The flap was lifted using a flap manipulator leading to exposure of the stromal bed. Excimer laser photoablation (+2.75 –4.00 × 123) was performed using the Alcon WaveLight® EX500 laser (WaveLight GmbH, Erlangen, Germany). The interface was then rinsed with balanced salt solution and the flap repositioned. A standard postoperative regimen was prescribed.

No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. At 6 months postoperatively, UDVA improved to 20/25 with a manifest refraction of pl –0.75 × 5, and corneal astigmatism was significantly reduced (Fig. 1b, c). No AK incision-related flap complications were encountered (Fig. 2a, b).

One of the major advantages of femtosecond laser technology in LASIK is the capability of precisely customizing flap configuration according to surgeon preference and case specifics. Flaps can be customized to the ablation pattern by adjusting flap dimensions, hinge position/length, and side-cut angle [6, 7]. Moreover, they are architecturally planar, thus providing greater predictability in the refractive outcome after ablation [6, 7].

Post-corneal incisional surgery LASIK enhancement has been associated with an increased risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications, such as incision dehiscence, epithelial breakthrough, suction loss, irregular flap, and flap tear [8, 9]. Corneal scarring in keratotomy incisions may complicate femtosecond laser-assisted flap creation, as fibrotic tissue could create a low-resistance pathway or trap gas bubbles, impede perforation of laser pulse energy, and anchor the flap to the underlying stromal bed. These risks are, therefore, an important consideration when creating a femtosecond-assisted LASIK flap in the setting of previous corneal incisional surgery.

Herein, we describe an efficient femtosecond-assisted LASIK elliptical flap creation for the management of post-AK residual astigmatism. Since AK had been performed for astigmatic correction due to phaco-burn after cataract surgery, we preferred to avoid deepening the original AK or performing an additional one, considering that the result would be less predictable. Photorefractive keratectomy could be another option, but LASIK seems to have better results in hyperopic astigmatic eyes [10]. The main concept of our approach was the customization of the elliptical flap in order to avoid intersection with the existing arc-shaped incisions, minimizing the possibility of complications observed when LASIK is performed after incisional surgery. In particular, flap parameters were intraoperatively adjusted so as to place the short diameter along the meridian of the incisions and the long diameter in the perpendicular meridian, corresponding to the excimer laser astigmatic ablation pattern. With this method, no intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered, and the patient’s astigmatism was significantly reduced with respective improvement of his UDVA.

In conclusion, the approach of femtosecond-assisted LASIK elliptical flap creation demonstrated efficiency and safety for the management of post-AK residual astigmatism. Long-term follow-up to determine the benefits and limitations of our method is required.

Written informed consent for this case report was obtained from the patient.

None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to disclose.

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

N.V.: writing and reviewing. M.A.G.: reviewing and rewriting. G.A.K.: writing and reviewing. E.S.: reviewing. G.D.K.: design of the work, analysis, interpretation, reviewing.