J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2002 Jul;43(7):1145-1151.

The Change of Tear Flim after laser Epithelial keratomileusis and laser in situ keratomileusis

• Park YK
• Choi NY
• Bae SR
• Joo CK

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of laser epithelial keratomileusis(LASEK) and laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) on tear secretion and tear film stability.
METHODS
Sixty two eyes went through photorefractive surgery including LASEK(26 eyes, 14 patients) or LASIK(36 eyes, 18 patients) by the same surgeon from January in 2000 to April in 2000. Tear secretion was measured with schirmer test and tear stability was measured with tear breakup time(BUT) preoperatively and 2 months after procedures.
RESULTS
In the LASEK group, the preoperative mean values were BUT, 7.46 sec; Shirmer, 11.92 mm, and at postoperative 2 months, they were 6.62 sec and 9.31 mm, respectively. The difference was statistically insignificant(P=0.51, P=0.22). In the LASIK group, the preoperative mean values were BUT, 7.56 sec; Shirmer, 10.56 mm. At 2 months, they were 5.56 sec and 7 mm, respectively. The difference was statistically significant(P=0.02, P=0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
Our result showed that tear secretion seemed to be significantly decreased after LASIK, but not after LASEK.

Keyword

LASEK; LASIK; Tear secretion

MeSH Terms

Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ*
Tears*