A CORNEAL FLAP TECHNIQUE FOR LASER INSITU KERATOMILEUSIS - HUMAN STUDIES

Using a modified microkeratome, nasally based central corneal flaps were created on six human blind eyes at a depth of 300-mu-m. The flaps were allowed to heal with a bandage soft contact lens, using neither sutures nor bloadhesives. The optical quality of the corneas was evaluated with biomicrosopic examination, computer-assisted topography, and optical pachometry during a 3-month follow-up period. The maintenance of transparency and lack of distortion of the corneal surface 3 months after surgery support the concept that the flap technique may be useful in laser in situ keratomileusis.