Late post-traumatic flap dislocation and macrostriae after laser in situ keratomileusis

Abstract

We report an unusual flap-related complication that occurred 4 years after uneventful laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) performed in the eye of a 20-year-old woman. She developed dislocation with partial infolding of the LASIK flap with macrostriae and epithelial ingrowth in her left eye after trauma by a wooden chip. The flap was refloated, stretched, smoothened, and hydrated on both under and outer surfaces after epithelial debridement. At 1 week, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 with absence of flap striae. The present case highlights that flap adhesions are not very strong even months and years after LASIK. Flap refloatation and stretching with hydration on both sides of the flap are effective in removing flap striae.