Posters

Visual and morphological changes induced by the insertion of a therapeutic contact lens after uneventful myopic LASIK

Poster Details

First Author: R.Pérez-Cambrodí SPAIN

Co Author(s):    M. Segui­ Crespo   J. Parra Pica   D. Pinero Llorens   P. Ruiz-Fortes   R. Soto Negro   A. Artola Roig     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the objective changes in the visual and morphological ocular parameters induced by the insertion of a silicone-hydrogel therapeutic contact lens (TCL) after uneventful myopic LASIK. Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (VA), central corneal thickness and corneal topographic indexes were measured in order to evauate the potential benefits of using TCLs in the early postoperative period.

Setting:

Oftalmar, Vithas Hospital Internacional Medimar, Alicante, Spain

Methods:

A prospective, randomized, comparative study was designed including 51 myopic eyes intervened with conventional LASIK. In the study group (n=24) a TCL was inserted in the immediate postoperative period and extracted 24 hours later, while in the control group (group B, n=27), no TCL was fitted. In the study group the measurements were performed immediately after the extraction of the TCL. Those included VA, CCT and topographical indexes. Changes were evaluated comparing the obtained differences in the preoperative and the postoperative periods for each variable. Those differences were then compared between the study and the control group.

Results:

In the postoperative period VA was significantly better in the control group (p=0.005). The mean Q value in the study group was significantly higher than the control group (p=0.024). ISV was higher in the study group (p=0.017). IVA showed that corneal radius showed a higher asymmetry in the horizontal meridian in the study group (p=0.031). IHA and IHD did not show statistically significant differences between groups (p>0.05). CCT measurements showed higher values in the study group. Those differences were statistically significant (p=0.011). No complications related to the integrity or stability of the corneal lenticule were found in both groups.

Conclusions:

The insertion of a TCL after LASIK may lead to functional visual alterations and changes in the corneal structure. The fitting of a TCL in the immediate postoperative period induces an increase of the CCT that may be presumably related to edema and a worse level of VA. Also, mechanical compression of the TCL over the cornea may be the reason of the transient anatomical variations of the ocular surface. TCLs do not represent a potential source of complications. However, TCL do not provide evident benefits and may lead to a longer postoperative recovery.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE