Flap characteristics, predictability, and safety of the Ziemer FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser with the disposable suction ring for LASIK

• Published in: Eye (London) 2014-01, Vol.28 (1), p.66-71
• Main Authors: Pietilä, J, Huhtala, A, Mäkinen, P, Uusitalo, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 692/700/565; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Clinical Study; Corneal Stroma - pathology; Corneal Stroma - surgery; Disposable Equipment; Female; Humans; Hyperopia - surgery; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ - instrumentation; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ - methods; Laboratory Medicine; Lasers, Excimer - adverse effects; Lasers, Excimer - therapeutic use; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Myopia - surgery; Ophthalmology; Pharmaceutical Sciences/Technology; Refraction, Ocular - physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Suction - instrumentation; Surgery; Surgical Flaps - pathology; Surgical Oncology; Visual Acuity - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0950-222X; 1476-5454
• DOI: 10.1038/eye.2013.244

Aims The outcomes of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) operations performed with the Classic FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser using the plastic single-use suction ring (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems) and the Allegretto Wave Concerto 500 Hz excimer laser (Wavelight AG) are presented in terms of accuracy, predictability, and safety of the operation. Methods A FEMTO LDV plastic suction ring was used for flap creation in 342 eyes of 179 patients. The intended flap thickness was 90  μ m. The size of the suction ring varied from 9.0 to 10.0 mm. Flap dimensions were measured and correlated to preoperative characteristics. Results Mean flap thickness was very constant, 89.6±2.0  μ m (range 84–97). In 163 bilateral operations, the second flap was 1.1  μ m thinner than the one cut first ( P