Evaluation of the reliability of the Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome for laserin situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of the Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome in corneal flap creation for Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in Asian eye s and the simplicity of its use for the beginner. METHODS: A prospective study of 200 Asian eyes was performed. The corneal s aps were created using the Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome 130-mum and 160-mum thickness plates with 8.5- and 9.5-mm suction rings. Ease of obtaining suct ion was evaluated and measurements were done for flap thickness, flap diame ter, hinge size, and hinge-to-center-of-pupil distance. RESULTS: Subjectively, even in small eyes, the procedure of obtaining the r equired suction and creating a good flap was easy and reliable with the Nid ek MK-2000 microkeratome. Average flap thickness was 120.52 +/- 16.49 mum ( range, 84 to 162 mum) for the 130-mum thickness plate with the 8.5-mm sucti on ring. Mean flap diameter was 9.16 +/- 0.43 mm, mean hinge size was 4.96 +/- 0.36 mm, and mean hinge-to-center-of-pupil distance was 4.16 +/- 0.28 m m. With the 9.5-mm suction ring, mean flap thickness was 122.06 +/- 18.54 m um (range, 84 to 149 mum), mean flap diameter was 9.85 +/- 0.35 mm, mean hi nge size was 5.28 +/- 0.36 mm, and mean hinge-to-center-of-pupil distance w as 4.49 +/- 0.27 mm. For the 160-mum plate with a 8.5-mm suction ring, the flap thickness was 172.71 +/- 27.49 mum (range, 121 to 203 mum), flap diame ter was 9.13 + 0.37 mm, mean hinge size was 5.02 +/- 0.29 mm and mean hinge -to-center-of-pupil distance was 4.21 +/- 0.29 mm, There were no complicati ons of corneal flap creation. CONCLUSION: The Nidek MK-2000 microkeratome was effective, safe, and reliab le, even in small eyes.