Management and Outcomes of Suction Loss During LASIK Flap Creation With a Femtosecond Laser

PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors, management, and outcomes in patients who experienced suction loss during LASIK flap creation with a femtosecond laser (Intra-Lase FS 60, Abbott Medical Optics Inc). METHODS: Pre- and postoperative visual outcomes and refractions for 71 eyes of 70 patients after suction loss during flap creation with the IntraLase FS60 femtosecond laser were analyzed and studied. RESULTS: In patients requiring a second or third lamellar flap cut immediately after suction loss, 97.2% of eyes achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.00 logMAR (20/20) or better and 100% of eyes achieved corrected distance visual acuity of 0.00 logMAR (20/20) or better at most recent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that excellent visual outcomes can be achieved if an immediate lamellar recut is performed after suction loss with a femtosecond laser.