Advantages of Using a Femtosecond Laser for Flap Creation
The growing success of flap creation with a femtosecond laser over that of a microkeratome is due to several distinct advantages. The literature shows a better contrast sensitivity,[1] increased safety,[8] faster uncorrected visual acuity recovery,[9] less induced aberrations[10,11] and less IOP variation[12] in the femtosecond-created flaps.
Dry eye is the most common side effect of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), with up to 90% of patients having some sign or symptom.[13–15] Femtosecond laser flaps have a lower incidence of dry eyes.[16] This is probably owing to the thinner, more uniform flap geometry[15,16] (with greater predictability and lower standard deviation) in the femtosecond laser-treated eyes compared with the microkeratome (Figure 5).
Figure 5.
Note the very uniform flap created in the optical coherence tomography analysis.
In addition to the technical advantages, the perceived safety and accuracy of a laser is preferred by patients, who may fear the use of a bladed device.
Expert Rev Ophthalmol. 2011;6(1):55-65. © 2011 Expert Reviews Ltd.
Cite this: Comparison of Commercially Available Femtosecond Lasers in Refractive Surgery - Medscape - Feb 01, 2011.
