Management of flap striae

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) offers some short-term advant ages over surface photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). LASIK patients have le ss discomfort, quicker visual rehabilitation, and decreased risk of haze, e specially in higher myopes and hyperopes, as compared to those who undergo PRK.(1-8) However, the LASIK procedure has its own set of potential complic ations, including those related to the creation of a corneal lamellar flap. Striae in the flap are a potential complication of LASIK. Maloney (personal communication) has created a classification of two types of striae. Macros triae are the result of dislocation of the flap; they are often seen as mul tiple, parallel, straight lines with retroillumination and are typically vi sually significant. Microstriae are related to the flap settling, not slipp ing; these are often not visually significant.