Unintentional excimer laser calibration effected during photoablation treatment with LASIK. A case report

10.17605/OSF.IO/X4NKE

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Montano M, Quiroz-Gonzalez MA, Chew-Bonilla A, Navas A, Muldoon-Borrego C, Bernal-Martinez DM. Unintentional excimer laser calibration effected during photoablation treatment with LASIK. A case report. Am J Med Surg. August 2021; 5(1). 1-4

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Abstract: We present a case of unintentional excimer laser calibration delivered as corneal stromal photoablation during LASIK. A 21-year old female with refraction of -3.25 -0.75 ×100 and -2.75 -1.25 ×70 was scheduled for LASIK. Due to an incomplete pre-operative laser calibration, an intrastromal laser calibration was applied in the right eye by human error. Follow-up at day 1 determined a refraction of -2.00 -1.25 ×120 and -2.75 -1.25 ×70. A secondary laser procedure performed 3 months later derived in decreased myopic refraction, a slight shift of the astigmatic axis and a 2 diopter (D) decrease in keratometry. Laser correction of the residual refraction resulted in a post-operative refraction of +0.25 -0.25 ×180 and -0.50 ×180 and patient satisfaction. To our knowledge, no previous studies have reported laser calibration in the corneal stroma. Although its occurrence is unlikely, our case emphasizes the importance of making ophthalmologists aware of this very rare complication and a great learning point.

 

Key words: Excimer laser, LASIK, corneal photoablation.

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