title: Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia and myopic astigmatism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the precision and safety of myopia and astigmatism correction using laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Augenchirurgie und Laserzentrum Hoch-Rum (Sanatorium der Kreuzsch-western), Innsbruck, Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, LASIK was performed on 66 eyes of 39 patients with myopia ranging from 1.50 to 16.00 diopters (D). Astigmatism, ranging from -0.00 to -3.00 D, was treated simultaneously. Surgery was performed with the Chiron Keracor 117 excimer laser and the Chiron Automated Corneal Shaper microkeratome. During the 6 month follow-up, manifest refraction as well as best corrected and uncorrected visual acuities were measured; corneal topographies were produced and slitlamp biomicroscopy was performed. Changes in visual acuity and corneal topography were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months, mean myopia had decreased from 6.78 D +/- 3.48 (SD) to 0.40 +/- 0.98 D. Fifty-one of 63 eyes (81.0%) were within +/- 1.00 D of spherical emmetropia and 61 of 63 (96.8%) within +/- 1.00 D of cylindrical emmetropia. Uncorrected visual acuity improved in all eyes; it was 20/40 or better in 82.5% 6 months postoperatively. Best corrected visual acuity did not change in most eyes; 9.5% lost two or more Snellen lines. No central islands or corneal scars were detected postoperatively. Haze was noted in only 6 eyes (9.1%); it was transient and less than grade 1. No sight-threatening complications occurred intraoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser in situ keratomileusis was an exact and predictable procedure for correcting low, moderate, and high myopia and myopic astigmatism.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Salchow
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zirm
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stieldorf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parisi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity