Keratomes & Femotsecond Lasers; Mitomycin

| Jul 01, 2010 | Comments 0

Amar asked:

You mentioned using mytomycin C for LASEK procedures. Is this generally a safe drug to use on ones corneas? In your opinion, what does a femtosecond laser offer over a microkeratome procedure. Can it be said if one is better than the other? Also, in higher prescriptions, given all other parameters are met including corneal thickness, which flap creation technique would be more advisable. Can both options create buttonholes?
Thank you so much for your help, Amar

Thanks Amar. MMC (mitomycin) appears to be safe. In 2000, Majdamur and colleagues were the first to describe MMC effects on post-PRK and postradial keratotomy subepithelial fibrosis (haze formation). We have not seen significant complications with its use over the past decade and I do use it on eyes where there is greater risk of haze.
I have written plenty on femtosecond lasers and blade keratomes, and you can see those posts under the lasik and safety categories. Both can create buttonholes, but the great advantage of the femotsecond laser is that you can identify the hole without lifting the flap and so get a complication-free healing, which isn’t always the same with a blade cut. In that case, the flap is already lifted by the keratome and there are risks of scarring at the edge of the hole and possible epithelial ingrowth.
Go for the femtosecond flap if you have the option.

Filed Under: LASIK • Questions • Safety

Tags: • • • • • •

About the Author: Mr. Dave Allamby FRCS FRCOphth is a leading London-based laser eye surgeon. You may have seen him on the This Morning TV show with Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton or read one of several articles in the national press, recently for treating Denise Van Outen, rock giant Rick Wakeman and broadcaster Paul Ross. David is Medical Director at Focus Laser Vision, known as a world-leading clinic in the treatment of presbyopia, or age related loss of close vision. Focus Laser Vision is also London's only clinic to offer next-generation Z-LASIK laser eye treatment for short sight, long sight or astigmatism.

RSSComments (0)

Trackback URL

Leave a Reply

Rss Feed Technorati button Reddit button Myspace button Linkedin button Delicious button Digg button Stumbleupon button Flickr button Facebook button Tweeter button Youtube button