Comparison of Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty with Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis in Correction of High Myopia Over -11.00D

Nam, Sang Kil; Kim, Ki San

Abstract

In order to compare the clinical results of Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty with Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis for corection of high myopia, the effects of the procedure on 9 patients(10eyes) following ALK and 14 patients(15 eyes) following LASIK who were followed up at least 6 months were analyzed retrospectively. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent(S.E) was -17.32D(-11.50D~-22.50D) in ALK group and -16.05D(-12.00D~-24.00D) in LASIK group, while mean postoperative S.E was -3.19D at 1 week, -3.50D at 1 month, -4.12D at 3 months, -3.83D at 6 months in ALK group and +2.10D at 1 week, 0.70D at 1 months, -0.10D at 3 months, -0.58D at 6 months in LASIK group. Mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 0.03 in ALK group and 0.04 in LASIK group. At postoperative 6 months, mean uncorrected visual acuity was improved to 0.18 in ALK group and 0.52 in LASIK group. The percentages of patients achieving correction within +/-1.00D at 6 months were 20% in ALK group and 47% in LASIK group. Postoperative cylindrical change was not significant in each group(p>0.05) and also best corrected visual acuity did not show statiscally significant changes in each group(p>0.05). The complications included folds of corneal flap, increased IOP, night halo, and corneal haze. In conclusion, ALK, when performed for high myopia with Ruiz normogram, resulted in undercorrection. LASIK seems to be much more predictable and accurate than ALK in high myopia.