Traumatic partial unfolding of laser in situ keratomileusis flap with severe epithelial ingrowth

We report an unusual flap-related complication that occurred 11 months after uneventful laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) performed in the eye of a 50-year-old woman. She developed partial infolding of the LASIK flap in her left eye after blunt trauma. The initial diagnosis was partial flap loss and 4 weeks later, infolding of the flap was diagnosed after severe epithelial ingrowth. Surgical repositioning of the flap resulted in a best corrected visual acuity of 20/20. Clinical features that assist in the diagnosis of this unusual complication and guidelines for its management are described. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000;26:135-139 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.