Cornea Flap LASIK Complications

Cornea Flap Complications

The first step in the LASIK procedure is creating a corneal flap. This is usually performed with a surgical tool called a microkeratome. The microkeratome is placed on the surface of the cornea and is held in place with suction. A surgical blade within the instrument cuts the flap, leaving a small hinge to keep the flap partially attached to the rest of the cornea.

Flap complications can occur if suction is lost while the microkeratome blade is cutting or the instrument malfunctions in some manner.

Cornea Flap Complications Types

Types of flap complications include:

• Incomplete or irregular corneal flaps
• Flaps that are too small or too thin
• Buttonholes (small holes or tears in the center of the flap)
• Free caps (flaps without a hinge)

Research suggests the incidence of flap complications is about 0.2 percent (0.002) of all LASIK surgeries. (Study of Corneal flap complications from Codet Aris Vision Institute)

In most cases, flap complications do not permanently decrease visual acuity. When a flap complication occurs, the surgeon will typically halt the LASIK procedure and re-position the flap. LASIK can then be re-scheduled a few months later after the flap has healed.