title: Results of pediatric laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for uniocular high myopia in pediatric eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai (Madras), India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen eyes that were treated by LASIK for uniocular high myopia were retrospectively analyzed. The mean patient age was 8.4 years +/- 1.83 (SD) (range 5 to 11 years). Laser in situ keratomileusis was performed using the Technolas Keracor 217 excimer laser and the Automated Corneal Shaper microkeratome, which created a 160 microm corneal lamellar flap. Postoperatively, patients were reviewed at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 6, and 12 months. The examination included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, anterior segment evaluation, grading of haze based on a 5-point scale, intraocular pressure, corneal topography, and fundus evaluation. The Student t test was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The charts of all patients were analyzed at the 12 month visit. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -14.88 +/- 3.69 diopters (D) (range -9.00 to -23.00 D) and the mean postoperative SE, -1.44 +/- 1.14 D (range 0 to -2.50 D) (P < .05). The safety index was 1.01 (mean postoperative BCVA 0.54 and mean preoperative BCVA 0.53; P = .77). The efficacy index was 0.53 (mean postoperative UCVA 0.28 and mean preoperative BCVA 0.53). None of the eyes had an induced astigmatism of more than 0.5 D. Twelve eyes regained their BCVA, 2 lost 1 line of BCVA, and 2 gained 1 line. Three eyes had grade 2 haze. No retinal complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, LASIK for uniocular high myopia in pediatric eyes provided encouraging results in the management of select cases of anisometropic amblyopia when other measures failed. A larger study with a longer follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai (Madras), India. agarwal@giasmd01.vsnl.net.in
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Siraj
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Narang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narang
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity