AIM: To observe the changes of tear film on the patients after laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK)with corneal flap created by femtosecond laser and microkeratome.

METHODS: Totally 150 patients(300 eyes)with myopia received operation of LASIK. Patients were divided into two groups according to the methods of making corneal flap. The patients of group one were assigned to receiving LASIK with corneal flap creation by Intralase femtosecond laser(190 eyes of 95 patients), group two were assigned to receiving LASIK with corneal flap creation by microkeratome(110 eyes of 55 patients). Dry eye symptom score, tear break-up time(BUT), Schirmer Ⅰ test(S I t), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at 1wk; 1, 3 and 6mo.

RESULTS: Dry eye symptom score: there existed obvious differences at 1wk; 1, 3mo between two groups(P<0.05). While no such obvious differences existed in the 6mo between two groups(P>0.05). BUT: there existed obvious differences at 1wk, 1, 3mo between two groups(P<0.05). While no such obvious differences existed at 6mo between two groups(P>0.05). SchirmerⅠ test: there existed obvious differences in the 1wk, 1, 3mo between two groups(P<0.05). While no such obvious differences existed in the 6mo between 2 groups(P>0.05). FL: there existed obvious differences in the 1wk, 1, 3mo between two groups(P<0.05). While no such obvious differences existed in the 6mo between two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The early stability of tear film decrease after operation in both of the two groups. The dry eye symptoms are lighter and recover faster.