Late traumatic flap dislocation after laser in situ keratomileusis

Three patients who had laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) experienced severe direct corneal trauma 3 to 38 months postoperatively. Flap dislocation resulted in all 3 patients. Presentation following trauma ranged from a few hours to 9 days. All patients were successfully managed by surgical flap repositioning, and all maintained a best corrected visual acuity of 20/20. A literature review of traumatic flap dislocation cases and the most recent methods of diagnosis and management are included. (C) 2001 ASCRS and ESCRS.