Relationship between the offset of a laser-assisted flap using the WaveLight FS200 femtosecond laser and the clinical results

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between the offset of a laser-assisted flap using the WaveLight FS200 femtosecond laser and the clinical results after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 125 patients who underwent FS-LASIK for myopia by WaveLight FS200 femtosecond laser from June 2017 to July 2018 at the Tungwah Ophthalmic Center were divided into two groups according to the offset of the corneal flap from the pupil center: the no-offset group (57 eyes) and the certain-offset group (68 eyes); the baseline data, including age, sex, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), spherical degree, and central corneal thickness were matched in the two groups.UCVA, residual astigmatism, spherical degree, corneal curvature and aberration were observed 1 week and 1 month after surgery.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tungwah Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University (No.2017DHLL004). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to entering the study cohort.

Results

UCVA, corneal curvature, spherical degree, spherical and corneal aberration between the two groups were not significantly different (all at P>0.05). One week after surgery, the residual astigmatism was ≤-0.50 D in 50 eyes (87.7%, 50/57)and >-0.50 D in 7 eyes (12.3%, 7/57) in the no-offset group; the residual astigmatism was ≤-0.50 D in 50 eyes (73.5%, 50/68) and >-0.50 D in 18 eyes (26.5%, 18/68) in the no-offset group.The residual astigmatism between the two groups 1 week after surgery was significantly different (χ²=3.902, P=0.048), and there was no significant difference in residual astigmatism 1 month after surgery (χ²=2.031, P=0.068). The trefoil of the no-offset group was statistically less than of the certain-offset group at 1 week and 1 month after surgery (0.05[0.04, 0.08]vs.0.06[0.04, 0.10]; 0.05[0.03, 0.07]vs.0.06[0.05, 0.09])(Z=-2.245, P=0.022; Z=-2.370, P=0.018). The spherical aberration and coma were not significantly different between the two groups at 1 week and 1 month after surgery (both at P>0.05).

Conclusions

The offset from femtosecond laser-assisted flap by WaveLight FS200 has no effect on long-term visual acuity or residual astigmatism.Some patients may have different visual experiences because of the residual astigmatism and higher order aberration during the early postoperative stage.

Laser/therapeutic use; Femtosecond laser; Corneal flap; Corneal curvature; Higher order aberration