Flap lift for LASIK retreatment in eyes with myopia

To analyze the results achieved with LASIK retreatment after lifting the original flap in a large series of patients. Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional consecutive case series. Two thousand four hundred twenty-two consecutive eyes undergoing LASIK surgery for myopia, including 334 eyes submitted to flap lift for LASIK retreatment. Uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, and complications. LASIK retreatment was performed in 334 eyes (14%), and the mean time between initial procedure and retreatment was 8.2±6.2 months. The mean spherical equivalent (SE) improved from −1.2±0.6 diopters (D) (range, −4.2 to +1.2 D) before retreatment to +0.2±0.4 D (range, −3.1 to +1.1 D) after the retreatment. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) after retreatment was 20/20 or better in 58% and 20/40 or better in 92% of eyes. The mean SE was within ±1.0 D in 96% of the patients and within ±0.5 D in 80.5% after retreatment. Eighteen eyes (5%) lost 1 line of best-corrected visual acuity, and 4 eyes (1%) lost 2 lines. LASIK retreatment surgery performed by relifting the flap was a useful procedure for correcting residual refractive errors after the primary LASIK procedure. It provided good uncorrected visual acuity, predictable results, good refractive stability, and few complications.