Single versus double femtosecond laser pass for incomplete laser in situ keratomileusis flap in contralateral eyes: Visual and optical outcomes

Abstract

To evaluate visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and anterior corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with uneventful single femtosecond laser pass versus double pass performed for intraoperative suction loss. Private refractive surgery center, Valencia, Spain. Cohort study. After the LASIK flap was created with a single pass of an Intralase femtosecond laser in 1 eye and a double pass in the fellow eye, the ablation was performed with a Visx S2 laser. At 12 months, the refraction, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, and anterior corneal HOAs were measured with 4.0 mm and 6.0 mm pupils. The study enrolled 42 eyes (21 patients). Twelve months postoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences in any parameter studied including residual spherical equivalent (mean -0.05 diopter [D] ± 0.25 [SD] single pass; -0.03 ± 0.19 D double pass; P=.75), UDVA (mean 0.008 ± 0.057 logMAR single pass; 0.011 ± 0.046 logMAR double pass; P=.89), CDVA (mean -0.010 ± 0.040 logMAR single pass; -0.007 ± 0.037 logMAR double pass; P=.74), or anterior corneal HOAs. No eye lost 1 line of CDVA. Visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and anterior corneal HOAs were comparable between eyes after uneventful femtosecond laser single pass or double pass after suction loss affecting the pupillary area. A new femtosecond laser pass performed immediately after incomplete flap due to intraoperative suction loss provided good visual and optical outcomes.