Ocular blood-flow hemodynamics before and after application of a laser in situ keratomileusis ring

PURPOSE: To evaluate blood-flow responses before and after microkeratome application. SETTING: School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom. METHODS: Hemodynamic responses were measured in eyes of healthy volunteers before and after transient elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting from microkeratome application. The IOP was elevated above 85 mm Hg for 90 seconds. Blood-flow responses were measured using color Doppler imaging, Heidelberg retinal flowmetry, and an ocular blood-flow analyzer. RESULTS: The study included 10 eyes. There was no difference in ocular-perfusion measurements before or after IOP elevation using any measurement system. CONCLUSION: In normal healthy eyes, once suction was released, blood-flow responses returned immediately to normal levels.