Flap Sliding Technique for Managing Flap Striae following Laser In Situ Keratomileusis

Figure 1

Steps of the flap-sliding procedure. (a) Identify flap striae direction. (b) Use a partially wetted cellulose sponge to gently slide the flap in a direction perpendicular to the striae. (c) Watch for the epithelial fold sign at the flap edge to indicate that the flap is in its proper position. This fold represents the epithelium that grew over the bed and is pushed away. When properly seated, the epithelium at the flap edge covers the exposed bed (arrow, (a)). Direction of flap sliding for horizontal (d) and vertical (e) striae.

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