Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopic anisometropia in children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the visual and refractive results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in pediatric patients with myopic anisometropia and amblyopia, and to assess the predictability, safety, and efficacy of the procedure in children.


METHODS
Fourteen patients aged 7 to 12 years with myopic anisometropia and amblyopia had LASIK in the more myopic eye (14 eyes) using the Chiron Automatic Corneal Shaper and the Chiron-Technolas Keracor 116 excimer laser. Preoperative spherical equivalent manifest refraction ranged from -4.62 to -12.50 D (mean, -7.87 D) and spectacle-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/40 to 20/100 (median, 20/50). All patients completed a minimum follow-up of 12 months.


RESULTS
One year after LASIK, spherical equivalent manifest refraction ranged from 0 to -1.50 D (mean, -0.55 D). Spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved in all eyes (range, 20/20 to 20/40; median, 20/25). Six eyes (42.9%) had a postoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/20. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 10 eyes (71.4%) (range, 20/20 to 20/70; median, 20/30). Uncorrected visual acuity exceeded preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity in all eyes by an average of 2 lines. There were no significant complications.


CONCLUSIONS
LASIK was effective for correction of myopic anisometropia in this small group of children and reversed refractive amblyopia. LASIK in these children was safe, predictable, and provided good visual results.
Rashad
K M
KM
Ophthalmology Department, Alexandria University, Egypt.
D000550:Amblyopia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D015858:Anisometropia / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D053685:Laser Therapy; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity