Stability of the laser in situ keratomileusis corneal flap in rabbit eyes

In rabbits, LASIK corneal flaps were very resistant to high-speed wind trauma as early as 24 hours postoperatively. Flap stability was robust prior to the formation of collagen scar tissue, probably due to epithelial bridging at the edge of the flap and an osmotic gradient across the flap-stromal bed interface. Although this study used a rabbit model, it seems likely that both these flap adhesion mechanisms would also provide stability to the LASIK flap in humans.