Subclinical inflammation after laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia induces an anterior chamber inflammatory response measurable with laser flare-cell photometry.


METHODS
Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, University of Alicante. Alicante, Spain.


METHODS
Twenty eyes in 20 patients had LASIK to correct myopia ranging from 2.50 to 15.00 diopters (D) (mean -8.94 +/- 3.25 [SD]). Anterior chamber inflammation was measured preoperatively and 1, 3, 7, and 15 days and 1 and 3 months postoperatively using the flare mode of a laser flare-cell meter. All eyes received topical fluorometholone 0.1% drops for 2 weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
Anterior chamber flare values at 1 and 3 days and 1 week postoperatively were not significantly different from those found preoperatively. However, a significant decrease was found at 2 weeks and 1 month (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Flare values returned to their preoperative levels at 3 months. No significant correlations between postoperative flare values and depth of ablation were found.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study. LASIK did not induce an inflammatory response in the anterior chamber in the myopic eye.
Pérez-Santonja
J J
JJ
Refractive Surgery and Cornea Unit, Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, University of Alicante School of Medicine, Spain.
Sakla
H F
HF
Cardona
C
C
Ruiz-Moreno
J M
JM
Alió
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology