LASIK tool helps manage ocular surface

Lafayette, LA—The LaFaci Surgical System (Vision Pro, LLC, Opelousas, LA) allows the LASIK surgeon to perform a number of specialized functions in the surgical field through the use of one handpiece. This capability, according to the developer of the system, Leon C. LaHaye II, MD, facilitates the entire second stage, i.e., following lifting of the flap, of the LASIK procedure.

"The LaFaci handpiece," he explained, "is placed on the patient's eye before lifting the flap, remains positioned until flap fixation is assured, and provides 11 specialized functions."

The introduction of this system is a departure from conventionally performed LASIK in that it standardizes the procedure, according to Dr. LaHaye, who has used this system on 119 eyes.

"Stage II begins the moment the corneal flap is reflected (incision exposure) and is completed with the corneal flap returned and sealed in its original position (incision closure)," he said.

"As an industry, LASIK surgeons have become very skilled in the management of diffuse lamellar keratitis, infectious keratitis, epithelial ingrowth, undercorrection, overcorrection, de-centered ablations, islands, flap striae, interface debris, plume dispersal, and other complications. Now we need to become more aggressive in prevention," Dr. LaHaye explained.

"In conventional LASIK, numerous techniques, methods, and instruments are used by LASIK surgeons to perform all aspects of the multitasked stage II. There is considerable variability and inconsistency in the performance of the numerous steps of stage II of conventional LASIK," Dr. LaHaye emphasized.