LASEK for extreme myopia: could this technique be effective and safe for patients in upper Egypt?

Session Details

Session Title: Photoablation Outcomes II

Session Date/Time: Wednesday 09/09/2015 | 08:00-09:30

Paper Time: 08:00

Venue: Room 1

First Author: : M.Elghobaier EGYPT

Co Author(s): :    A. Monir   I. Awny                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of LASEK in extreme myopic correction in Upper Egypt, which is a dry and sunny environment prone to high levels of UV light which may complicate laser vision correction procedures as general particularly surface ablation.

Setting:

Al Awael Center for LASIK & Refractive surgeries, Nag Hammadi, Qena, Egypt.

Methods:

Review of two case reports including three eyes of extreme myopic prescription (spherical error of all of them is more than -10.0 D) treated with PTK for epithelial removal to the depth of 50 microns, then ablated by excimer laser using VISX S4IR. Intra operative application of MMC 0.02% for 20 seconds for all eyes. BCL application until reepithelization and post operative treatment includes topical steroids, antibiotics& Artificial tears. UV protection and Vit. C were prescribed for at least 9 month post operative along with slow gradual taper of topical steroids to decrease the chance of corneal scarring.

Results:

All the three eyes included in this study have postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) less than preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) due to initial undercorrection by 1.0, 1.50& 1.75 diopters. This unintended under correction was due to nomogram maladjustment. Post operative CDVA is equal to preoperative CDVA indicating no loss in visual function in all eyes. Post operative follow up period of 6 months till the time of abstract submission revealed only one eye with non significant trace corneal haze.

Conclusions:

LASEK showed encouraging results in terms of safety for treatment of extreme myopic patients in Upper Egypt. Effectiveness of the technique needs more thorough larger volume studies to develop reasonable nomograms.

Financial Interest:

NONE