First Author: K.Misailovic SERBIA
Co Author(s): T. Mrdja M. Beko N. Radovic Z. Ignjatovic
Purpose:
Dry eye is the very common complication after laser refractive surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of severe distressing dry eye after LASIK.
Setting:
Milos Eye Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia
Methods:
In this retrospective study, 440 eyes that underwent LASIK were observed for an extremely dry eye syndrome. Assessments included preoperative and postoperative findings of tear break up time test (TBUT) and Schirmer test, corneal findings, subjective symptoms of dry eye, disturbances of visual acuity and photophobia.
Results:
For the 440 eyes, very severe dry eye with heavy symptoms and discomfort, keratopathy, decreased visual acuity and photophobia was expressed in 24 (5.45%) eyes. Mean patient age was 41.86±8.04. All were done with superior hinge Moria microkeratome. The risk for extremely dry eye was significantly associated with age, female sex, and prolonged use of soft contact lenses before surgery (p<0.05) and was not induced by the type or level of preoperative refractive error (p>0.05). The greatest change from preoperative levels for all symptoms and parameters was noted after second or third week and lasted from 2 to 6 weeks. There were obvious decrease in tear stability and comfort, best corrected visual acuity and corneal transparency, 1 month postoperatively relative to preoperative level (p<0.001). None of these patients had any preoperative treatment for dry eye before surgery.
Conclusions:
Patients undergoing LASIK for myopia or hyperopia can develop extremely severe dry eye with compromised comfort and visual acuity during first 3 months after surgery. Women, patients who were using soft contact lenses and those over 40 have an increased risk for developing dry eye. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No
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