Effect of time since primary laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis on flap relift success and epithelial ingrowth risk

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the association of time since primary laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with flap relift success and risk for epithelial ingrowth (EI) in eyes undergoing flap relift after primary LASIK.

Setting: Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Design: Retrospective observational case series.

Methods: 73 eyes with flaps relifted for refractive enhancement LASIK were included. Main outcome measures included rate of relift success and EI; associations of time since primary LASIK, sex, age at relift, year of relift, and flap creation method in primary LASIK with relift success and EI.

Results: Of the 73 eyes included, relifting was successful in 71 eyes (97.3%). Among the successfully relifted eyes, 12 (16.9%) developed EI, of which 3 (4.2%) were clinically significant. No eyes lost more than 1 line of corrected distance visual acuity. The time since primary LASIK (up to 22 years), sex, age at relift, year of relift, and flap creation method in primary LASIK were not associated with relift success or EI.

Conclusions: With the described surgical technique, flaps could be successfully relifted without much difficulty up to 22 years after primary LASIK with a low incidence of EI.