Laser in situ keratomileusis corneal flap creation with the Nidek MK-2000 and the Carriazo Barraquer microkeratomes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of the Nidek MK-2000 and the LSK Carri azo Barraquer microkeratomes in the creation of corneal flaps for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: A prospective randomized study of 55 eyes of 30 patients who under went LASIK was performed. Twelve corneal flaps were created by the Nidek MK -2000 microkeratome (160-mu m head), 30 corneal flaps by the Carriazo Barra quer 160-mu m head microkeratome, and 13 corneal flaps by the Carriazo Barr aquer 180-mu m head microkeratome. Flap thickness (evaluated by ultrasonic pachymetry), flap diameter, hinge size, and hinge-to-center-of-pupil distan ce were measured. RESULTS: For the Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome, mean flap thickness was 149.5 8 +/- 25.61 mu m (range, 94 to 186 mu m), flap diameter was 8.81 +/- 0.34 m m (range, 8.4 to 9.1 mm), hinge size was 4.31 +/- 0.45 mm (range, 3.9 to 4. 8 mm), and hinge to center of-pupil distance was 3.79 +/- 0.70 mm (range, 3 .9 to 4.7 mm). For the Carriazo Barraquer 160-mu m head microkeratome, mean flap thickness was 123.9 +/- 22.28 mu m (range, 104 to 155 mu m), flap dia meter was 9.08 +/- 0.44 mm (range, 8.7 to 11 mm), hinge size was 4.04 +/- 0 .61 mm (range, 4 to 6 mm), and hinge-to-center-of-pupil distance was 4.37 /- 0.24 mm (range, 4 to 4.5 mm). For the Carriazo Barraquer 180-mu m head m icrokeratome, mean flap thickness was 167.23 +/- 24.92 mu m (range, 145 to 198 mu m), flap diameter was 9.12 +/- 0.18 mm (range, 9 to 9.4 mm), hinge s ize was 4.21 +/- 0.39 mm (range, 4 to 5 mm), and hinge-to-center-of-pupil d istance was 4.47 +/- 0.24 mm (range, 4.2 to 4.7 mm). There was no correlati on between corneal curvature and flap diameter. No case was aborted due to improper corneal flap creation. An epithelial defect was found in 5 eyes af ter reverse movement of the Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome. CONCLUSION: The Nidek MK-2000 and the Carriazo Barraquer microkeratomes wer e effective, safe, and reliable in the creation of corneal flaps for LASIK.