SUMMARY
Purpose:
To evaluate the clinical results and complications of laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in myopic compound astigmatism, moderate and high myopia at a University center.
Patient and Methods:
Seventy eyes from 54 patients who underwent LASIK from April 1996 to April 1997 were evaluated. The Chiron Corneal Shaper® (an automated microkeratome) was used to perform the in situ keratomi-leusis, followed by a refractive ablation with the Summit Apex Plus® excimer laser (193 nm). On three of the 70 eyes no photoablation was performed due to technical problems during keratomileusis. Sixty of the remaining 67 eyes had afollow-up longer than I month and were evaluated. In 36 eyes (60.0%) the spherical equivalent (SE) was corrected (Group 1), and in 24 eyes (40.0%) astigmatic correction was performed (Group 11).
Results:
Average follow-up was 4.5 months. Average pre operative SE was -10.33 D (± 3.29 D). Average variation between attempted and achieved SE correction in the 1st, 3rd and 6th months was respectively +0.06 D (± 1. 74 D), -0.38 D (± 1.78 D) and 0,58 D (± 1. 75 D). There have been 12 surgical complications, eleven of them related to the microkeratome. Forty-three of 60 eyes (71.7%) did not lose nor gain any line in their best-corrected visual acuity evaluated by the Sneelen acuity chart. Ten eyes (16.7%o) lost two or more lines. Seven eyes (11.7%) gained two or more fines. Twenty-one eyes (35.0%) were hypocorrected by 1.00 D or more. Twenty of these eyes belonged to Group I.
Conclusion:
LASIK is a predictable alternative to correct moderate and high myopia. High incidence of complications might be expected during its learning curve.
Keywords:
Myopia; Laser; Keratomileusis