Optic Nerve

Optic Nerve
        

• Lee AG, Kohnen T, Ebner R, et al (Univ of Iowa, Iowa City; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston; Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Univ, Frankfurt, Germany; et al)
  Optic Neuropathy Associated With Laser In Situ Keratomileusis 
  J Cataract Refract Surg 26: 1581-1584, 2000
      
  Intraocular pressure (IOP) may rise significantly during the lamellar cut portion of LASIK. The authors report 4 cases of optic neuropathy after LASIK. 
       
  During the lamellar cut portion of LASIK, a suction device is applied to stabilize the globe and increase IOP to achieve a smooth cut.
       
  In the vacuum phase, IOP can increase to 80 to 230 mm Hg with a microkeratome. During the lamellar cut IOP can reach 140 to 360 mm Hg.
      
  In the above 4 cases, 2 developed retrobulbar optic neuropathy while 2 developed anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
      
  The resulting visual acuity and field loss were permanent.