Successful Double Pass Femtosecondlaser In Situ Keratomileusis After Suction Loss

To show successfull double pass LASIK after suction-loss with excellent visual outcome

The treatment was performed at the Department of Ophthalmology at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. The 18-year-old patient presented for professional reasons (German Armed Forces) with the desire for prompt correction of his myopia (OD -3.0 / -0.5 /24°, BCVA 20/10; LA -3.25 / -0.5 / 167°, BCVA 20/12.5). The refraction was stable over the previous five years. Femtosecondlaser-assisted LASIK was planned.

Devices: Intralase FS60, AMO; Amaris, Schwind

Before the LASIK flap (depth 100µm) on the right eye could be completely lasered, a sudden eye movement caused a suction loss, whereupon the procedure was aborted. On the following day, a complete flap at a deeper level (150µm) was lasered without complications and LASIK was completed.

A very good refractive and visual outcome was achieved in the right eye with double pass femtosecondlaser-assisted LASIK (two months postoperatively:  +0.25 / 0.0 / 0°, BCVA 20/12.5). The preparation of a second flap in a deeper layer was successful without complications. By choosing an alternative access at the inferior flap pole, the flap lifting could be performed in the correct plane. Postoperatively, there were no clinical residuals of the initially lasered flap.

A completely complication-free FS-LASIK was performed on the left eye (two months postoperatively: +0.25 / 0.0 / 0°, BCVA 20/16).

A double pass procedure for suction loss as part of femtosecondlaser-assisted LASIK is an adequate and safe procedure. Very good refractive and visual results can be achieved without residual corneal damage.

Our patient was very satisfied and was able to fulfill his career aspirations.