Long-term results of laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia

Abstract

Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is still the most popular refractive surgery in the world. The aim of the study is to assess the long term clinical outcomes of LASIK in treating patients with different types of myopia. Pre- and postoperative distance visual acuity, refractive spherical equivalent (SE) and clinical examinations of dry eye disease were recorded. Values obtained at baseline and controls were compared with each other. While preoperative mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of low and moderate myopic patients was 0.1±0.07 on Snellen eye chart, and it was 0.86 ±0.11 at the 6th month and 0.92 ±0.05 at the 3rd year. At the last control examination, the percertages of manifest refractive SE in the range of ±0.50D and ±1.00D were 78.3%, 88.3%, respectively. The mean UDVA of high myopic patients was 0.03 ±0.02 preoperatively, and it was 0.84 ±0.16 at the 6th month and 0.69 ±0.21 at the 3rd year. UDVA at 3 years was significantly decreased compared with 6 month postoperatively.(p=0.01) At the last control examination of this group, the percentages of manifest refractive SE in the range of ±0.50D and ±1.00D were 48.3%, 66.1 %, respectively. These also decreased from 6 month to 3 years postoperatively.The mean tear break-up time and schirmer-1 values, which decreased in the postoperative first year visits of the patients, were close to the preoperative values at the last control. There were no statistically significant difference between the preoperative and 3rd year comparisons.(all p>0.05) In conclusion, LASIK is an effective and safe procedure in patient with myopia, preoperative higher SE is a predictor of low postoperative efficacy.