retreatment by lifting the original laser in situ keratomileusis flap after eleven years

purpose : to describe a case of successful laser in situ keratomileusis (lasik) retreatment over a previous lasik surgery after 11 years case report : the patient had his first lasik for the correction of -2.25 -1.75×90° and -2.25 -1.00×90° in the right and left eye, respectively. eleven years later, the refraction in the right eye was plano -3.25×80° and he was scheduled for an enhancement procedure by relifting the old lasik flap. ablation was made with the allegretto concerto excimer laser. results : three months postoperatively, the right eye uncorrected visual acuity (ucva) was 20/20, the refraction was plano -0.50×160°, the flap was intact, and the cornea was clear. one year after retreatment the refraction was stable and there was no sign of epithelial ingrowth. conclusion : lasik retreatment can be safely performed by lifting the original flap even more than one decade after primary operation provided that the residual stromal bed is adequate.   iranian journal of ophthalmology 201123(2):60-64 © 2011 by the iranian society of ophthalmology