Laser in situ Keratomileusis Corneal Flap Creation With the Nidek MK-2000 and the Carriazo Barraquer Microkeratomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of the Nidek MK-2000 and the LSK Carriazo Barraquer microkeratomes in the creation of corneal flaps for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASLK).

METHODS: A prospective randomized study of 55 eyes of 30 patients who underwent LASLK was performed. Twelve corneal flaps were created hy the Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome (160-/«n head), 30 corneal flaps by the Carriazo Barraquer 160-¿m head microkeratome, and 13 corneal flaps by the Carriazo Barraquer 180-/tm head microkeratome. Flap thickness (evaluated by ultrasonic pachymetry), flap diameter, hinge size, and hinge-to-centerof-pupil distance were measured.

RESULTS: For the Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome, mean flap thickness was 149.58 ± 25.61 µ?? (range, 94 to 186 /im), flap diameter was 8.81 ± 0.34 mm (range, 8.4 to 9.1 mm), hinge size was 4.31 ± 0.45 mm (range, 3.9 to 4.8 mm), and hinge-to-centerof-pupil distance was 3.79 ± 0.70 mm (range, 3.9 to 4.7 mm). For the Carriazo Barraquer 160-/im head microkeratome, mean flap thickness was 123.9 ± 22.28 jttm (range, 104 to 155 /an), flap diameter was 9.08 ± 0.44 mm (range, 8.7 to 11 mm), hinge size was 4.04 ± 0.61 mm (range, 4 to 6 mm), and hinge-tocenter-of-pupil distance was 4.37 ± 0.24 mm (range, 4 to 4.5 mm). For the Carriazo Barraquer I80-/«n head microkeratome, mean flap thickness was 167.23 ± 24.92 ^m (range, 145 to 198 /nn), flap diameter was 9.12 ± 0.18 mm (range, 9 to 9.4 mm), hinge size was 4.21 ± 0.39 mm (range, 4 to 5 mm), and hinge-to-center-of-pupil distance was 4.47 ± 0.24 mm (range, 4.2 to 4.7 mm). There was no correlation between corneal curvature and flap diameter. No case was aborted due to improper corneal flap creation. An epithelial defect was found in 5 eyes after reverse movement of the Nidek MK2000 microkeratome.

CONCLUSION: The Nidek MK-2000 and the Carriazo Barraquer microkeratomes were effective, safe, and reliable in the creation of corneal flaps for LASLK. [J Refract Surg 2000;16(suppl): S272-S275].