Femtosecond Laser in situ Keratomileusis Flap Creation in Narrow Palpebral Fissure Eyes without Suction

PURPOSE: To evaluate a surgical technique used in eyes with narrow palpebral fissure undergoing femtosecond laser flap creation without suction during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: All data of 2 patient groups were collected through chart review. Group 1 consisted of 6 eyes with narrow palpebral fissure in which the suction ring was manually fixated and femtosecond laser was applied accordingly. Thirty comparison cases were randomly drawn from among eyes that underwent a standard LASIK procedure matched for age and preoperative refraction (group 2). Only 1 eye of each patient was selected to compare the refractive and visual outcomes between groups. RESULTS: In all group 1 eyes, the flaps were created successfully with manual fixation of the suction ring without suction. No eyes lost 2 or more lines of vision. No significant difference was found in the safety and refractive outcomes between groups. CONCLUSION: Manual fixation of the suction ring in eyes with narrow palpebral fissure without suction was feasible for flap creation during LASIK.