Incidence of rainbow glare after laser in situ keratomileusis flap creation with a 60 kHz femtosecond laser

Abstract

Rainbow glare is a mild optical side effect of femtosecond LASIK. In this study, higher raster energy levels and length of time between service calls were associated with the occurrence of rainbow glare.

Laser in situ keratomileusis flap complications using mechanical microkeratome versus femtosecond laser: Retrospective comparison

“…Similar to TLSS, rainbow glare appears to occur more often with higher raster energy settings. 28 Although there were no cases of rainbow glare in our study, it is important to recognize this complication and its relationship to the femtosecond laser.…”

Femtosecond laser in laser in situ keratomileusis

“…65 It is reported by patients as a spectrum of colored bands radiating from a white-light source when in a dark environment, although it does not appear to interfere with the patient’s visual acuity. 66 …”

“…A recent study by Bamba et al 66 found that rather than faster pulse frequencies or lower raster energies, it is the quality of the beam and the dimension of the numerical aperture of the focusing optics that seem to be the most important factors in reducing this symptom. Thus, it is extremely important to have regular laser maintenance to ensure beam quality and alignment and avoid this side effect.…”

New Therapeutic Modalities in Femtosecond Laser-assisted Corneal Surgery

“…16 The disadvantages of using FS laser in creating LASIK flaps include longer operative time, increased cost, more postoperative inflammation in the form of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), harder to lift flaps, granular stromal bed, opaque bubble layer (OBL) interfering with treatment, the transient light-sensitivity syndrome (TLSS), and rainbow glare. 11,[17][18][19] A better understanding of the possible causes of these complications showed that FS laser energy, speed and spot spacing, and pattern play an important causative role. Creating a resection plane in the cornea using a FS laser entails laying down the laser spots side-to-side, each creating a cavitation bubble that separates the corneal collagen lamellae and results in a resection plane.…”

“…This high energy was incriminated as the cause of DLK, OBL, TLSS, and rainbow glare. [19][20][21] The widely separated laser spots were obviously the cause of the difficulty in lifting the flaps and the granularity of the stromal bed. The advances in laser technology led to newer generation FS lasers with faster firing capabilities.…”