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LASIK complication: loss of electricity to the microkeratome during the forward pass

  1. Ilpo S. J. Tuominen*,
  2. Timo M. T. Tervo

Article first published online: 26 SEP 2003

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2003.00138.x

Issue

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Volume 81, Issue 5, pages 530–532, October 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Tuominen, I. S. J. and Tervo, T. M. T. (2003), LASIK complication: loss of electricity to the microkeratome during the forward pass. Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 81: 530–532. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2003.00138.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

* Ilpo S. J. Tuominen Department of Ophthalmology Helsinki University Hospital PO Box 220 HUS SF-00029 Helsinki Finland Tel: + 358 9 4717 5197 Fax: + 358 9 4717 3163 Email: ilpo.tuominen@hus.fi

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 SEP 2003
  2. Article first published online: 26 SEP 2003
  3. Received on March 10th, 2003. Accepted on June 4th, 2003.

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Keywords:

  • LASIK;
  • microkeratome;
  • complications;
  • refractive surgery;
  • cornea

Abstract.

Context: A 32-year-old woman was scheduled for myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) because of myopia and anisometropia caused by retinal detachment surgery.

Case Report: During surgery, a sudden malfunction of the microkeratome during the forward pass was experienced. It was not possible to reverse the blade manually along the suction ring. Moreover, disconnecting the suction from the control unit did not help at first, because the suction ring was firmly attached to the ocular surface. However, detaching the suction line from the control unit aborted the vacuum and allowed the surgeon to turn the whole microkeratome backwards, mimicking the normal blade movement. Finally, an almost normal flap was observed, and the operation was successfully completed. Afterwards, the wire to the electromotor of the microkeratome was found to be broken and subsequently replaced.

Conclusion: This type of unforeseen microkeratome malfunction may result in serious flap or other complications.

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