Epithelial ingrowth under LASIK flaps: tips and tricks for preventing recurrence!

Abstract

LASIK for refractive error correction has become a universal surgery. Despite its popularity, the estimated prevalence of traumatic flap dislocations in post-LASIK patients is 3.9%, and it is sometimes associated with epithelial ingrowth. The prognosis in such cases depends on the rapid surgical revision of the flap with the removal of the EI and perioperative steps to prevent Epithelial ingrowth (EI) recurrence in the future. The video aims to display the steps involved in revising the flap, removing EI, and tips to prevent its recurrence. A 33-year-old post-LASIK patient presented with decreased vision, photophobia, and glare during the COVID pandemic in the right eye for 2 months. The best-corrected visual acuity was reduced to 6/60. The anterior segment revealed traumatic flap dislocation along with macro fold temporally and epithelial ingrowth. She underwent a successful flap revision surgery with no recurrence of epithelial ingrowth postoperatively. A successful revision of a 2-month-old traumatic folded flap was performed along with the complete removal of EI. It explains the step-by-step approach to avoid the recurrence of EI in each step of the surgical revision of the flap. The video is self-explanatory and guides novice surgeons too. https://youtu.be/JuOSjhrfw0g.