Traumatic epithelial flap detachment after laser subepithelial keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To report a case of corneal epithelial flap detachment 20 days after laser subepithelial ker tomileusis (LASEK) METHODS: A 30-year old man undenwent LASEK for cornection of nuyopra On postoperative day 8. he was comfortable and the conneal epithelium healed completely with uncorrected visual acuity UCVA) of 20/20. On posoperative day 20. the corneal epitheliat lia on the right eye detached and was lost durng pressure patch ng after puncure of the hordeoium. RESULTS: The comeal defect was treated with a a bandage contact iens. levofloxacin, and hyaluronic acid eye drops. Ten days after detachment. UCVA had improved to 20/20 and the epithelium had closod completely. CONCLUSIONS: Mild trauma can cause epithelial lap detach ment during the early postorperative period of IASEF. Refract Surg 2006:22:305-307.