Central necrotic lamellar inflammation after laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To report four cases of corneal interface complications that occur red after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Four eyes of three patients underwent technically uneventful LASIK . RESULTS: One day after LASIK, patients presented with severe pain, blurred vision, conjunctival infection, and diffuse opacity at the interface. Two d ays after LASIK significant features were central opacity, striae in the fl ap, loss of uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and cor neal sensitivity. The findings did not improve by using drugs or by lifting the flap and irrigating the bed. The central opacity partially resolved ov er 8 to 12 months, leaving a hyperopic shift tone patient), striae (one pat ient), and loss of two or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acu ity (three patients). CONCLUSION: This severe central inflammation after LASIK could be an extrem e manifestation of diffuse lamellar keratitis.