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Comparison of keratocyte density after femtosecond laser vs mechanical microkeratome from 3 months up to 5 years after LASIK

  • Refractive Surgery
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

To compare keratocyte density after mechanical microkeratome LASIK (MK-LASIK) and femtosecond-laser assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK).

Methods

We performed a prospective study of myopic patients that underwent MK-LASIK or FS-LASIK. We measured keratocyte density 3 and 15 months, and 3–5 years after the surgery using confocal microscopy, and compared them with healthy, non-operated corneas.

Results

Thirty-one eyes were included in the FS-LASIK group, 30 in the MK-LASIK group and 28 in the control group. Three months postoperatively, there was an increase in the keratocyte population of the whole cornea, mainly due to the mid and posterior stromal layers, in both treatment groups. It was also increased in the stromal bed after MK-LASIK, but not after FS-LASIK. In both groups, this was followed by a normalisation and stabilisation of cell density in those deeper layers 15 months after the surgery. Keratocyte density in the flap and stromal bed was decreased 15 months after FS- and MK-LASIK compared to 3 months postoperatively and compared to controls. It seemed to remain stable thereafter. In spite of this decrease, the average cell density throughout the cornea was not decreased compared to controls at any time point.

Conclusion

We found a reorganization of keratocytes density after LASIK, with an initial increase, followed by a decrease in the stromal flap and stromal bed 15 months postoperatively, and stable from then onwards, but still maintaining normal average densities in the total cornea. There were no differences between MK- and FS-LASIK.

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Acknowledgment

Contributions of authors: design and conduct of the study (LBL, MAT), collection of the data (PC,JLHV), analysis and interpretation of the data (MAT, LBL), preparation of the manuscript and literature search (PC, LBL), review of the manuscript (LBL, PC,JLHV, MAT), final approval of the manuscript (LBL, PC, JLHV,MAT).

IRB’s approval from the “Comité de Ética e Investigación Clínica” of Hospital Universitario La Princesa (Madrid, Spain) and patients’ informed consent for surgery and for participation in this research were obtained.

Disclosure

The authors have not received any financial support for the development of this study.

The authors have no financial interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vissum Corporation, C/ Santa Hortensia 58, 28002, Madrid, Spain

    Pilar Cañadas, Laura de Benito-Llopis, José Luis Hernández-Verdejo & Miguel A. Teus

  2. Universidad Europea de Madrid, Urbanización El Bosque, Calle Tajo, s/n, 28670, Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain

    Pilar Cañadas

  3. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, Av Séneca, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    José Luis Hernández-Verdejo

  4. Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain, Plaza de San Diego, s/n, 28801, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

    Miguel A. Teus

  5. Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Carretera Alcalá-Meco, s/n, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

    Miguel A. Teus

  6. Avenida del Manzanares 86, 3B, 28019, Madrid, Spain

    Pilar Cañadas

Authors
  1. Pilar Cañadas
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  2. Laura de Benito-Llopis
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  3. José Luis Hernández-Verdejo
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  4. Miguel A. Teus
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Correspondence to Pilar Cañadas.

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Cañadas, P., de Benito-Llopis, L., Hernández-Verdejo, J.L. et al. Comparison of keratocyte density after femtosecond laser vs mechanical microkeratome from 3 months up to 5 years after LASIK. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251, 2171–2179 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2357-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2357-9

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