J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1997 Sep;38(9):1527-1536.

Short Term Follow-Up Results of LASIK(laser in-situ keratomileusis) for Correction of High Myopia

• Lee DH
• Choi TH
• Lee HB

Abstract

We have performed LASIK to correct the visual acuity in high myopes who were more than -8.0 diopter(spherical equvalent) and were intolerent to the wearing spectacles or contact lens. To evaluate the effect of LASIK on the correction of the myopia, 51 eyes with 6 months follow up were analyzed. Follow-up evaluations were done at 2 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months. The preoperative spherical equivalent refraction ranged from -8.00 to -35.00 diopter(average; -12.86 5.67). The attempted correction ranged from -6.0 to -30.0 diopter(average; -12.16 5.07). The average uncorrected visual acuity was statistically significantly increased from 0.08 to 0.78(p<0.05) but the change of spectacle-corrected visual acuity was statistically not significant(p>0.05). The incidence of decreased best corrected visual acuity 2 lines or more after LASIK were 19.6% at 1 month, 17.6% at 2 months, 3.9% at 3 months and 3.9% at 6 months respectively. The causes of decreased best corrected visual acuity were irregular astigmatism and central island. Postoperative refraction showed slight regression of -1.72 diopter throughout the follow-up period. The preoperative refractive astigmatism was -2.39 diopter, but postoperative refractive astigmatism was stabilized within 0.5 diopter throughout the followed-up period. The postoperative refractions within 0.5 diopter were 21.6% at 1 months, 7.8% at 3 months, 15.6% at 6 months; within 1.0 diopter were 41.2% at 1 months, 43.1% at 3 months, 46.7% at 6 months; within 2.0 were 66.7% at 1 months, 68.6% at 3 motnhs, 75.6% at 6 months. The mean corneal haze at 1, 2, 3, 6 months were within grade 0.5(0 to 4 scale). LASIK, although more complicated because of the use of a microkeratome, was thought to be more effective than PRK in higher myopes. In conclusion, further investigation and long-term studies are needed to confirm the safety, efficacy, stability, predictability of this new technique.

Keyword

LASIK; Laser in-situ keratomileusis; High myopia

MeSH Terms

Astigmatism
Eyeglasses
Follow-Up Studies*
Incidence
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ
Myopia*
Visual Acuity