title: Excimer laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) under a corneal flap for myopia of 2 to 20 D.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report the results of a recent technique of keratomileusis for myopia: excimer laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied retrospectively 88 eyes of 63 patients that received LASIK with the Chiron Automated Corneal Shaper and the Summit OmniMed excimer laser under a hinged corneal flap without sutures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up was 5.2 months. Mean spherical equivalent of the manifest refraction before surgery was -8.24 diopters (D)(range -2.00 to -20.00 D). Mean spherical equivalent refraction after surgery was +0.22 D (SD, 1.42 D). Of 40 eyes with a baseline refraction from -2.00 to -6.00 D, 25 (63%) had a refraction within +/- 0.50 D and 37 eyes (93%) within +/-1.00 D. In 29 eyes with baseline refraction of -6.12 to -12.00 D, postoperative refraction was within +/-1.00 D in 19 (65%). In 19 eyes with baseline refraction of -12.10 to -20.00 D postoperative refraction was +/-1.00 D in 8 (43%). Overall, 64 of 88 eyes (72.8%) had a refraction within +/-1.00 D after surgery. Between three weeks and five months after surgery the change in the mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.61 D in the myopic direction. Uncorrected visual acuity after surgery was 20/20 or better in 31 eyes (36%) and 20/40 or better in 61 eyes (71%). Three eyes (3.6%) lost two lines or more of spectacle corrected visual acuity, two from progressive myopic maculopathy and one from irregular astigmatism. No eyes had vision threatening complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excimer laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) under a corneal flap can be an effective method of reducing myopia between -2.00 to -20.00 D, with minimal complications. Current surgical algorithms need modification to improve predictability. Stability of refraction after surgery requires further study.
authors.affiliation: El Maghraby Eye Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salah
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Waring
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: el-Maghraby
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moadel
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Grimm
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity