Lamellaire Keratomy

Partly because of the bad side effects related with the RK treatment, professor Baraquer and Ruiz at the Bogota university came to the technique of lamellaire keratomy (LK). 

Technique: Anaesthetic through eye drops. In the 28 years during which this technique has existed it has evolutionised tot a technique where a microtome instrument is used. The microtome (a very precise, thin cutting devise) gently shaves a thin layer off the cornea. This incision follows the lines of the even curvature of the cornea.

The prepared flap is temporarily put aside. Another flap is created in the exposed corneal tissue. The thickness is measured beforehand. This tissue is removed. Now the initial flap is returned. Because the wound fits together perfectly there is little to no pain involved.

Advantages:

• Short recovery period of just a few hours
• Vision recovery within hours
• Good result, hardly any regression
• Can correct short- and farsight

• The making of the second flap is complicated, any irregularity can lead to future sight problems
• Cannot correct astigmatism