Posters

15 years follow-up of laser in situ keratomileusis from -6.00 to -18.00 diopters of myopia and up to -5.00 diopters of astigmatism

Poster Details

First Author: M.ELBAHRAWY SPAIN

Co Author(s):    F. Soria   P. Peña-Garcia   J. Alio   A. Alessandro     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Setting:

Vissum Corporation, Alicante, Spain. Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain

Methods:

This retrospective-prospective, observational study included 40 eyes of 40 patients aged 51.08±6.67 (range 35 to 60) with high myopia (-6.00D to -18.00D) operated with the VISX 20/20 excimer laser. The minimum follow up was 15 years. The main outcome measures were: uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA, CDVA), manifest refraction and corneal topography.

Results:

Safety and efficacy indexes at 15 years were 1.23 and 0.95 respectively. During the follow-up, a significant increase in the dioptric power of all keratometric variables was detected (p≤0.028, Friedman test). The most notable increase was registered between 3 months and 1 year (p≤0.005). 15 years after the surgery, 46.15% of the eyes were within ±1.00D of spherical equivalent (SE) and 64.10% within ±2.00D. The UDVA at 15 years was 20/25 or better in 43.59% of the eyes and 20/40 or better in 64.10% of the eyes. CDVA improved significantly compared pre and postoperatively (p<0.001). The postoperative complications were minimal but in one case a post-lasik ectasia occurred.

Conclusions:

Lasik is a safe technique in the long-term, even when used in high myopia. Although some ametropias included in the study were outside the limits considered nowadays as safe for this operation, the corneal integrity was preserved in all cases except in one of them which developed corneal ectasia. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE