Unusual complication after laser in situ keratomileusis: eyelash under the flap

We report a 70-year-old man who had uneventful laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct the refractive error in the right eye. The patient returned 5 weeks later complaining of irritation and pain in that eye. Examination revealed an eyelash under the edematous LASIK flap with surrounding infiltrates. The anterior chamber was quiet. The flap was lifted and the eyelash removed. Epithelial cells were removed from the flap interface. Postoperatively, the patient developed a mild diffuse lamellar keratitis that resolved rapidly with topical corticosteroid treatment. At 5 months, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20(-2), with mild haze in the inferior interface. Large, visually significant foreign bodies under a LASIK flap should be promptly removed for a good visual outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a post-LASIK complication due to an eyelash under the flap.