Myopia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Myopia, including details on treatment, prevention, causes, correction.

Eleven-year follow-up of laser in situ keratomileusis.

Kymionis GD, Tsiklis NS, Astyrakakis N, Pallikaris AI, Panagopoulou SI, Pallikaris IG

Department of Ophthalmology, and Institute of Vision and Optics, University of Crete, Crete, Greece. kymionis@med.uoc.gr

PURPOSE: To report the long-term (11-year) outcomes (stability and complications) of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with high myopia. SETTING: University refractive surgery center. METHODS: Seven patients (4 with bilateral treatment and 3 with unilateral treatment) who had myopic LASIK and completed 11 years of follow-up were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the 2 men and 5 women was 41.7 years +/- 6.5 (SD) (range 34 to 50 years). The mean follow-up was 140.18 +/- 6.70 months (range 132 to 150 months). At 11 years, the spherical equivalent error was statistically significantly reduced, from a mean of -12.96 +/- 3.17 diopters (D) (range -19.00 to -10.00 D) before LASIK to a mean of -1.14 +/- 1.67 D (range -4.25 to 1.00 D) after (P<.001). Predictability of postoperative refraction 6 months and 11 years after LASIK showed that 6 eyes (55%) were within +/-1.00 D of intended correction. No late postoperative complications occurred. Five patients (8 eyes, 73%) were satisfied with the final outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis was moderately predictable in the correction of high degrees of myopia. After the sixth postoperative month, refractive and topographic stability were obtained. No long-term sight-threatening complications occurred during the follow-up period.

Published 5 February 2007 in J Cataract Refract Surg, 33(2): 191-6.
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