The aim is to evaluate the short-term changes in ocular surface measures and tear inflammatory mediators after lenticule extraction (FLEx) and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) procedures.
Over the past few years, laser in situ keratomileusis with a femtosecond laser-created flap (FS-LASIK)has been a popular ophthalmic procedure for the correction of refractive error. This first all-in-one FS-laser system was designed to perform the refractive lenticule extraction (ReLEx) procedures, femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLEx).They have the same feature: corneal flap. Ocular surface disruption during corneal refractive surgery is commonly considered to be closely related to the development of dry eye. Multiple etiologies contribute to this ocular surface disruption, including the flap creation and stromal ablation involved in previous refractive surgery techniques. Corneal nerve damage has been considered the main cause of dry eye, due to disrupted afferent sensory nerves, reduced blink reflex, and increased tear evaporation leading to tear film instability. In addition, postoperative inflammatory mediator fluctuations are also a key factor related to ocular surface damage. Extensive research has described the effects of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in modulating corneal wound healing, cell migration, and apoptosis on the ocular surface after refractive surgery. This prospective clinical study is going to assess the short-term changes in ocular surface measures and tear inflammatory mediators after lenticule extraction (FLEx) and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) procedures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
75
Four femtosecond incisions were created in succession: the posterior surface of the refractive lenticule (spiral in), the lenticule border, the anterior surface of the refractive lenticule (spiral out), and the corneal flap in the superior region. After the suction was released, the flap was opened using a thin, blunt spatula and the free refractive lenticule was subsequently grasped with a forceps and extracted, after which the flap was repositioned carefully.
track distance and spot distance were 3.0 μm during flap creation and 1.5 μm during flap side-cutting. The flap diameter was 8.0 mm, and flap thickness was set to 105 μm. Side-cut angle and hinge angle were 90°and 50° respectively. The flaps were created by laser scanning in spirals from the periphery to the center of the pupil. An excimer laser system was used in the subsequent ablation of the stromal bed with a 6.0 mm optical zone. Once the excimer ablation was completed, the flap was repositioned in a similar fashion as in routine LASIK.
Hainan Eye Hospital, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University
Haikou, Hainan, China
Schirmer I test
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
corneal fluorescein staining
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
noninvasive tear breakup time
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
ocular surface disease index
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
central corneal sensitivity
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
tear meniscus height
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
Interleukin-1α
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
tumor necrosis factor-α
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
nerve growth factor
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
interferon-γ
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
transforming growth factor-β1
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
matrix metalloproteinase-9
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery
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Correlation Between Inflammatory Mediators and Ocular Surface Changes
Time frame: up to 1month after surgery