Outcomes of Flap Lift Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Enhancements in a Large Patient Population: Does Application of a Bandage Contact Lens Affect Incidence of Epithelial Ingrowth?

Purpose: To compare the incidence of corneal epithelial ingrowth (EIG) and the visual outcomes of enhancement with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) by flap lift when a bandage soft contact lens (CL) was fitted after the procedure and when it was not. Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective, interventional case series in which all patients who underwent LASIK enhancement from January 2005 to January 2015 were included consecutively. Patients were grouped depending on whether a bandage CL was fitted after re-treatment by flap lift (group 1) or not (group 2). Results: A total of 16,702 eyes from 12,485 patients were included. There were statistically significant differences between the groups regarding corrected distance visual acuity (better in group 1) and safety index (better in group 2) although these were not clinically relevant. The incidence of EIG was 0.58% in group 1 and 0.55% in group 2 although, again, the difference was not statistically different. Conclusions: We found no relevant differences in LASIK enhancement between patients who received a bandage CL and those who did not regarding the incidence of EIG and visual outcomes.