Thicker flaps reduce astigmatism, improve LASIK outcome.

Discusses a study which found that LASIK patients who had a 180-micrometer flap had less surgically induced astigmatism than those with a standard 160-micrometer flap. Masking effect of the LASIK flap on stromal irregularities; Presentation of research data by doctor Peter Hersh; Smoother optical surfaces in LASIK than in PRK; Assessment of the possibility of manipulating the flap by means of a stretching technique.