Clinical Results of LASIK using VISX STAR in High Myopia

Chang, Seung Wook; Kim, Jae Ho; Joo, Choun Ki

Abstract

Laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) composed of corneal flap and excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) has been used for correction of high myopia. Among many kinds of excimer laser, VISX STAR has advantages like correction of cylindrical astigmatism and prevention of central island. We evaluate the effects and clinical course of LASIK using SCMD microkeratome and VISX STAR on 105 myopic eyes under -7.00D from Dec. 1996 to July 1997. The range of refractory error was from -7.00D to -15.00D and age was from 21yrs to 44yrs(mean age was 28.6yrs). The attempted correction of refractory error was determined depending on cycloplegic refraction. We evaluated the change of uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, astigmatism, corneal topography before operation, one day, one week, two months, and six months after operation. Uncorrected visual acuity was improved from 0.05 to 0.77, whereas best corrected visual acuity was decreased slightly from 0.92 to 0.85. Spherical equivalent was changed from -10.07 to -0.38D. However, change of cylindrical error was from -1.22D to -1.06D. This difference was not statisyically significant(p>0.05). 105 high myopic eyes were divided into two groups, in which one group was from -7.00D to -10.00D and the other group was from -10.00D to 15.00D. These two groups were compared in the point of effect of LASIK on visual improvement and correction of refractory error, retrospectively. However, there was no statistically significant differences of clinical results between two groups. With these results, it was found that LASIK using VISX STAR would be an excellent procedure for visual improvement and correction of refractory error in high myopia. However, the methods and technology would be required to control underlying astigmatism in VISX STAR system.