Femtosecond-assisted LASIK flaps resistant to lift secondary to corneal epithelial defects: Case reports and ex vivo studies.

Purpose: To evaluate why epithelial defects created before femtosecond laser ablation result in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flaps resistant to lift.

Setting: Boston Eye Group, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.

Design: Case reports and ex vivo studies.