Immediate evaluation of the flaps created by femtosecond laser using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Background And Objective: To demonstrate the practical and functional evaluation of flaps created intraoperatively by femtosecond laser using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Patients And Methods: The study prospectively examined 11 eyes of 6 patients who underwent uneventful LASIK surgery with the aid of the IntraLase femtosecond laser (IntraLase Corp., Irvine, CA). During the waiting period between femtosecond laser and excimer laser, all eyes were evaluated by AS-OCT to image each flap immediately before flap lifting and laser ablation. Flap thickness and residual stromal bed thickness were calculated automatically using the software's flap tool.

Results: A uniform flap was created by femtosecond laser not only in the central cornea, but also in all quadrants.

Conclusion: The qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the corneal flap created by a femtosecond laser using AS-OCT before lifting the flap confirms that the femtosecond laser is a practical intraoperative approach that offers a safer surgery.