Confocal Microcopy of a Femtoecond Laer LAIK Flap Before eparation

Purpoe To decribe tromal change after a femtoecond laer laer-aited in itu keratomileui (LAIK) flap wa created but not eparated. Deign Cae report. Method A part of a randomized paired-eye tudy comparing LAIK flap creation by a femtoecond laer to a mechanical microkeratome, a femtoecond laer flap wa uccefully created on one eye of one patient, but the flap wa not eparated becaue of a flap-related complication in the fellow eye. Confocal microcopy of the femtoecond laer flap wa performed before and at interval after it wa created. Reult Activated keratocyte and interface haze were viible at one day after femtoecond laer treatment, with gradual reolution toward normal over two month. The femtoecond laer flap wa eaily eparated four month after it wa created. Concluion Corneal photodiruption by the femtoecond laer i aociated with tranient keratocyte activation and corneal haze, but marked wound healing doe not occur to hinder flap eparation everal month later.