Reduction in intraocular pressure after laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether intraocular pressure (IOP) measured on the nasal side is affected after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
The Glaucoma Service, Dr. Hong's Eye Clinic, Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
In 83 patients, IOP was prospectively measured with the Goldmann tonometer at the central (Tcenter) and nasal (Tnasal) areas of the cornea before and after LASIK. The Tcenter and Tnasal IOP between baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively was compared. The correlation between ablation depth, amount of treatment, refractive change, and change in central corneal thickness and Tcenter change was evaluated.


RESULTS
Six months after LASIK, Tcenter IOP decreased 3.9 mm Hg (25.2%) and Tnasal IOP decreased 2.0 mm Hg (12.7%) (P < .001, P = .02, respectively). The Tnasal measurement was 1.8 mm Hg higher than the Tcenter measurement (P < .001). Significant correlation between each corneal parameter and the Tcenter reduction at 1 month did not continue to 6 months (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
At each follow-up, Tnasal IOP was statistically lower than at baseline, although the reduction was not as great as that of Tcenter IOP. A 2 to 3 mm Hg drop in Tnasal up to 6 months after LASIK should be expected. An alternative would be to measure IOP with the Tono-Pen on the nasal side to fit the tip to the relatively unchanged nasal side of the cornea.
Merit Eye Clinic, Seoul, South Korea. hjpark@lasikmerit.co.kr
H J
HJ
Park
K B
KB
Uhm
C
C
Hong
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D015814:Ocular Hypotension / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular