Macular hemorrhage after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with femtosecond laser flap creation

PURPOSE: To report the first case of macular hemorrhage following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with femtosecond laser flap creation. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 36,year,old woman underwent uncomplicated, bilateral, simultaneous LASIK procedures for correction of moderate myopia (-5.00 diopters OD and -6.00 diopters OS). LASIK flap creation was performed using the IntraLase femtosecond laser. RESULTS: On postoperative day 1, the patient's uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities were 20/20 OD and 20/40 OS. A dilated fundoscopic examination revealed a one,third disk diameter macular hemorrhage OS. An intravenous fluorescein angoiogram ruled out the presence of predisposing macular pathology. Two months after LASIK, the macular hemorrhage had cleared, and 6 months later, the BCVA improved to 20/25 OS. CONCLUSIONS: Macular hemorrhage may occur after LASIK, even in the absence of previously identified risk factors, such as high myopia, pre-existing choroidal neovasculaization, lacquer cracks, and sudden changes in intraocular pressure associated with microkeratome-assisted flap creation. (C) 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.