Photorefractive keratectomy after late traumatic LASIK flap loss.

PURPOSE To present a case of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) after late traumatic LASIK flap loss. METHODS The initial LASIK procedure was performed in 2003 with a Moria M2 microkeratome and NIDEK EC-5000 excimer laser using a 5.0/9.0-mm aspheric ablation pattern, resulting in 20/20(+) uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and plano refraction. Traumatic flap loss of the right eye occurred in 2007. The patient was treated for the trauma, and PRK for -5.00 -1.25 × 090° was performed 2 months later. RESULTS Posttraumatic flap loss UDVA was 20/200 in the right eye, with corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/25(+2). After PRK with mitomycin C (MMC), UDVA was 20/15 2 months postoperatively and was maintained through the last postoperative follow-up in 2010 (approximately 3 years after PRK). CONCLUSIONS Treating a patient with traumatic LASIK flap loss can be done by careful, conservative treatment of the abrasion followed by correction of the refractive error using PRK with MMC.