Doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2005.11.015

J CATARACT REFRACT SURG - VOL 32, JANUARY 2006 Transient light sensitivity after femtosecond laser flap creation: Clinical findings and management Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, Jon G. Dishler, MD, Teresa S. Ignacio, MD, Perry S. Binder, MD PURPOSE: To describe the constellation of subjective and objective findings associated with unusualoccurrences of photosensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with femtosecond flap creationand identify optimal management strategies.
METHODS: Demographic data, laser settings, subjective complaints, clinical findings, treatment, andresponse to treatment were recorded for suspected cases of transient postoperative photosensitivityfrom 3 surgeons operating at 3 different sites. All cases were estimated for the period covering thesuspected cases at each site to assess incidence. Additional cases were solicited from IntraLase usersvia a survey.
RESULTS: For the 3 sites, 63 eyes from 33 patients were reported of a total estimated case log of 5667(incidence, 1.1%). Average age was 41 years, and 51.7% of patients were women. Onset of symptomsranged from 2 to 6 weeks after uneventful LASIK. All patients were treated with prednisolone acetatedrops, whereas 1 surgeon also used Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.05%). Patients notedimprovement of symptoms within 1 week of treatment. When the raster and side-cut energy settingswere lowered (by an average of 24% and 33%, respectively), significant reductions in incidence werenoted. Similar findings were reported by 3 additional surgeons reporting 17 cases in the survey ofIntraLase users.
CONCLUSIONS: This report describes a new complication of LASIK performed with a femtosecondlaser keratome that may be related to the pulse energy used for flap creation. Although there is noloss of uncorrected visual acuity, symptoms can be prolonged, especially without prompt steroid ther-apy. Technical advances that reduced pulse energies appear to decrease the incidence.
J Cataract Refract Surg 2006; 32:91–94 Q 2006 ASCRS and ESCRS The mechanism of femtosecond laser flap creation with the been reported to reduce or eliminate many of the minor IntraLase FS (IntraLase Corp.) has been described exten- and severe complications associated with flap sively.Briefly, the system produces short-duration (600 More recently, sporadic cases of unusual photosensitiv- to 800 femtosecond) light pulses at 1053 nm infrared wave- ity that does not affect visual acuity have been reported (B.
length. Multiple pulses are focused to an approximately Will, MD, ‘‘Success with IntraLase: It’s Not Just Point and 3 mm spot diameter at a preset depth, leading to photo- Shoot’’; K. Stonecipher, MD, ‘‘A Comparative Study: Moria, disruption and creation of a corneal resection plane.
Hansatome, and Intralase’’; both presented at the ASCRS Once the bed of the flap has been created, the device cre- Symposium on Cataract, IOL and Refractive Surgery, San ates a side cut from the level of the resection plane, mov- Diego, California, USA, May 2004). The term transient light ing anteriorly through the epithelium. Cavitation bubbles sensitivity syndrome (TLSS) has been coined to describe this created during photodisruption generally remain in the condition. A multicenter case series is reported to describe resection plane; however, they may migrate anteriorly, the constellation of subjective and objective findings as posteriorly, or peripherally in the cornea.
well as clinical outcomes seen with this entity.
Initial experience in the United States with the Intra- Lase FS laser began in May 2000 and showed excellent results with no postoperative complicTo date, Suspected postoperative photosensitivity cases were divided several studies have documented improved flap predict- into 3 groups according to the surgeon reporting them ().
ability and refractive outcomes compared with that of the For each group, demographic data, reported symptoms, mechanical microkeratome.Use of the technology has uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), slitlamp examination, and Table 1. Summary of suspected postoperative photosensitivity cases 20/20 to 20/30). Slitlamp examination found no internal or grouped according to reporting surgeon.
external inflammatory reaction and no significant interfacefindings. Patients were treated with prednisolone acetate 1% (Pred Forte) as frequently as hourly or 4 times per day for 1 to 2 weeks. The Pred Forte was tapered after 1 week or over 1 to 2 months. Symptoms resolved within 1 to 2 weeks of topical steroid therapy, with no change in *Although only 6 cases were reported with clinical data, approximately 20 cases were suspected in retrospect before recognition of the entity.
After the laser bed energy settings were lowered to 2.3 mJ (39% decrease) and side-cut energy to 3.2 mJ (64%decrease), no additional similar cases were reported. In response to interventions were recorded from clinical records.
Raster and side-cut energy used for femtosecond laser flap crea- addition to these laser setting changes, the postoperative tion were also recorded. Estimates of incidence rates were made medication regimen was changed from loteprednol 0.5% based on the number of procedures performed during the relevant eyedrops (Lotemax) 4 times a day for 1 week to Pred Forte time interval at each respective clinical site.
Additional cases were collected from a survey distributed to all IntraLase users, which solicited data on suspected TLSS casesincluding patient symptoms, clinical findings, demographics, la- ser energy settings, and treatment; responses were received be-tween August and November 2004.
Thirty-two eyes of 16 patients reporting severe light sensitivity were collected from a cohort of 2994 eyes (inci-dence of 1.06%) having LASIK between January 2003 and September 2004. The mean patient age was 41 years (range 25 to 57 years) and the mean preoperative spherical equiv-alent was ÿ4.6 diopters (D) (range ÿ0.9 to ÿ8.75 D) and the mean cylinder, 0.94 D (range 0.0 to 2.5 D). Sixty per- Eleven eyes of 6 patients were identified from a cohort cent of the patients were women. The iris color was brown of 783 cases followed up prospectively in 2001. Approxi- in 37.5% (12 of 32), blue in 37.5% (12 of 32), and hazel in mately 14 additional patients may have experienced similar 25% (8 of 32). Preoperative UCVA ranged from 20/200 to symptoms but were not specifically identified, so their counting fingers. The mean preoperative best corrected data were not available for review. The mean age of affected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.01 G 0.08 (range 0.8 to patients was 43 years (range 37 to 47 years), and 50% were 1.33). The mean postoperative UCVA was 1.03 G 0.19 women. Patients presented with complaints of extreme sen- (range 0.5 to 1.33). One eye of 1 patient with a visual acuity sitivity to indoor lights and computer screens. The onset of of 20/200 was planned for monovision, with the other symptoms ranged between 3 and 6 weeks after uneventful 96.5% having 20/25 or better. The mean postoperative laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The mean laser bed BCVA was 1.11 G 0.16 (range 1.33 to 1.0), with 100% of (raster) energy was 3.75 mJ G 1.3 (SD), and the mean side- the population correctable to 20/20 or better. The mean cut energy was 8.75 G 0.12 mJ. The mean UCVA (decimal) preoperative pachymetry was 542.5 G 24.4 mm. The mean at the time of reported symptoms was of 0.95 G 0.1 (range photopic pupil size was 4.63 G 1.02 mm (range 3.0to 6.6 mm) and the mean scotopic pupil size, 6.13 G0.74 mm (range 5 to 7 mm). There were no perioperative Accepted for publication April 8, 2005.
From the Southeastern Laser and Refractive Center (Stonecipher), Onset of photophobia occurred between 4 and 6 weeks Greensboro, North Carolina; Dishler Laser Institute (Dishler), postoperatively with normal visual acuity at the time of com- Denver, Colorado; the Department of Ophthalmology (Ignacio), plaint. The mean raster energy used was 3.4 G 0.5 mJ and University of California Irvine, California; and Gordon Binder and the mean side-cut energy, 4.3 G 0.89 mJ. On slitlamp exam- Weiss Vision Institute (Binder), San Diego, California, USA.
ination, anterior segments in all patients were normal with Dr. Stonecipher and Dr. Dishler have received travel and research no significant detectable interface inflammation or deposits.
support from IntraLase. Dr. Binder and Dr. Ignacio are consultantsto IntraLase Corp.
Patients were given Pred Forte 4 to 6 times a day or Restasis(cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.05%) 2 to 4 times per No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material ormethod mentioned.
day for the first week or 2 after presentation, and improve-ment of symptoms was noted after a week of treatment.
Reprint requests to Perry S. Binder, MD, Gordon Binder Vision In-stitute 8910 University Center Lane, Suite 800, San Diego Califor- Confocal imaging was performed in some eyes and compared with asymptomatic cases (). Findings J CATARACT REFRACT SURG - VOL 32, JANUARY 2006 had planned monovision with 20/200 and 20/300 in eacheye. All remaining eyes had acuities of 20/30 or better. Onslitlamp examination, no signs of inflammation were notedin any eye. Patients were treated with hourly drops of PredForte for 7 days. All patients responded to treatment, andthere were no chronic cases seen. Laser side-cut energysetting was lowered subsequently to 3.6 mJ (decreased by10%). Incidence of this entity was 1% (5 of 500) after thedecrease in laser energy settings.
In the survey, an additional 17 eyes of 10 patients were reported by 3 surgeons from different clinical sites. Allpatients were women with a mean age of 47 years (range26 to 63 years). Patients’ complaints were light sensitivityand glare. The mean raster energy used was 1.97 G 0.3 mJ(range 1.8 to 2.5 mJ), and the mean side-cut energy was3.42 G 0.3 mJ (range 3 to 3.6 mJ). The mean UCVA was0.90 G 0.3 (range 20/20 to 20/80). One eye of 1 patienthad an acuity of 20/150 after planned monovision treat-ment. On slitlamp examination, 4 eyes showed mild inter-face haze. However, the same interface haze was seen inother patients who did not complain of light sensitivity.
Treatment varied according to surgeon preference. Medica-tion regimens included Lotemax 0.5% eyedrops 4 timesa day for 2 weeks and prednisolone acetate ophthalmic sus-pension (Econopred 1ˇ/8%) twice a day for 2 weeks. Symp-toms began to resolve after 1 week of treatment in allcases, and no loss of BCVA was reported in any case.
Laser energy settings used by surgeons and surgeons who participated in the survey are summarized in Figure 1. A: Confocal image of a post-LASIK interface of an asymptomaticpatient. B: Confocal image of a stromal interface in a patient with TLSS.
Probable activated keratocytes are present.
Transient light sensitivity syndrome describes a con- stellation of symptoms that can occur after LASIK with fem- included activated keratocytes at the interface that resolved tosecond laser flap creation. Patients with TLSS generally with the resolution of the patient’s subjective complaints.
present with light sensitivity that is out of the ordinary, Laser bed energy and side-cut energy were reduced subse- good UCVA, and minimal slitlamp findings 2 to 6 weeks af- quently by 20.5% to 2.7 mJ and 25.7% to 3.2 mJ, respectively.
ter uneventful LASIK. All patients responded to topical ste- Incidence of TLSS was reduced to 0.17% (3 of 1705) after roids, although improvement with Restasis has also been the decrease in laser energy settings.
reported by 1 center. Based on collected cases, an incidenceof approximately 1% was identified. The highest incidence rates occurred with the highest initial energy settings and Twenty eyes of 11 patients were collected from a cohort with reduction in the number of cases after reductions in of 1900 patients having LASIK between August 2003 and laser energy settings by 20% to 60%. In best documented se- August 2004 (incidence 1.05%). The mean age was 39 years ries (group 2), there was an approximately 5-fold reduction (range 26 to 56 years), and 45% of the patients were women.
in incidence to less than 0.2% after an approximately 20% Patients presented 2 to 6 weeks after surgery with sensitivity to room light severe enough to make them unable to watch The etiology of this syndrome is unknown, but the television or use the computer. The mean laser bed energy identification of activated keratocytes at the interface that was 1.98 G 0.17 mJ, and the mean and side-cut energy in some cases resolve with the resolution of the patient’s was 4.0 mJ. The mean UCVA was 0.89 G 0.27. Two patients subjective complaints is noteworthy. However, these cells J CATARACT REFRACT SURG - VOL 32, JANUARY 2006 Table 2. Summary of laser energy settings used by different surgeons.
are also seen in patients with no symptoms. Activated low incidence of the entity seen after reduction in laser keratocytes are a feature of normal healing after LASIK, energy settings may make this impractical. Animal studies and they have been reported to occur after other refractive may therefore provide additional information regarding procedures as well. The reduction in TLSS cases after laser this phenomenon. Technical advances in the device that energy settings were lowered supports secondary effects of permit even lower energy settings may also help reduce laser pulse energy, such as shock wave exposure on local keratocytes or corneal nerve endings, as an etiology. Reduc-tion in laser energy reduces the magnitude and range ofthese transients, thereby possibly reducing their effects on local cell populations. Similar symptoms have beenreported more rarely after LASIK performed with a mechan- 1. Kurtz RM, Liu X, Elner VM, et al. Photodisruption in the human cornea as a function of laser pulse width. J Refract Surg 1997; 13:653–658 2. Sugar A. Ultrafast (femtosecond) laser refractive surgery. Curr Opin tion may occur via different mechanisms as well. Another etiology may be associated with migration of the expelled 3. Ratkay-Traub I, Juhasz T, Horvath C, et al. Ultra-short pulse (femtosec- gases into the peripheral cornea and episclera that could ond) laser surgery; initial use in LASIK flap creation. Ophthalmol Clin irritate the ciliary body. Because the eyes respond to topical steroids, some irritation of the ciliary body can be 4. Nordan LT, Slade SG, Baker RN, et al. Femtosecond laser flap creation for laser in situ keratomileusis: six-month follow-up of initial US clinical Although no definite etiologic mechanism has been 5. Ratkay-Traub I, Ferincz IE, Juhasz T, et al. First clinical results with the identified, several management strategies can be recom- femtosecond neodynium-glass laser in refractive surgery. J Refract mended based on the summarized clinical experience to reduce incidence and severity of TLSS. These include: 6. Kezirian GM, Stonecipher KG. Comparison of the IntraLase femtosec- ond laser and mechanical keratomes for laser in situ keratomileusis.
1. The lowest possible surgical energy settings needed J Cataract Refract Surg 2004; 30:804–811 to maintain good flap dissection quality should be 7. Binder PS. Flap dimensions created with the IntraLase FS laser. J Cat- used, usually combined with reduction in laser 8. Tran DB, Sarayba MA, Bor Z, et al. Randomized prospective clinical spot separations to allow lower energy settings.
study comparing induced aberrations to IntraLase and Hansatome 2. Patients presenting with photosensitivity should be flap creation in fellow eyes: potential impact on wavefront-guided examined for evidence of true diffuse lamellar laser in situ keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg 2005; 31:97–105 keratitis.If available, confocal microscopy may 9. Anderson NJ, Edelhauser HF, Sharara N, et al. Histologic and ultrastruc- tural findings in human corneas after successful laser in situ keratomi- be considered for additional information directing leusis. Arch Ophthalmol 2002; 120:288–293 treatment. Eyes can be treated with prednisolone 10. Kramer TR, Chuckpaiwong V, Dawson DG, et al. Pathologic findings in acetate 1% every 1 to 6 hours tapered over 1 to 4 postmortem corneas after successful laser in situ keratomileusis.
weeks. Patients should be monitored for evidence of elevated intraocular pressure. Adjunctive use 11. Lackner B, Pieh S, Schmidinger G. Glare and halo phenomena after laser in situ keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg 2003; 29:444–450 of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications can 12. Jabbur NS, Sakatani K, O’Brien TP. Survey of complications and re- also be considered (Frank Price, MD, personal commendations for management in dissatisfied patients seeking a consultation after refractive surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg 2004;30:1867–1874 Further clinical studies may help identify more specific 13. Linebarger EJ, Hardten DR, Lindstrom RL. Diffuse lamellar keratitis: di- etiologies and management of TLSS. However, the relatively agnosis and management. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26:1072–1077 J CATARACT REFRACT SURG - VOL 32, JANUARY 2006

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