Effectiveness of laser in situ keratomileusis with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser for pediatric correction of spherical anisometropia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correction of spherical anisometropia in patients under 18 years of age.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients (58 eyes) with myopic spherical anisometropia and spherical antimetropia were treated. Group 1 included 31 eyes of 20 children (9 to 15 yr) and Group 2 included 27 eyes of 18 children under 18 years old (16 to 17 yr). The difference in refraction between the two eyes in Group 1 was an average 5.95 D and in Group 2, 6.92 D. The operations were performed with the Nidek EC-5000 eximer laser and the Hansatome Chiron Vision HT-230 microkeratome. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia. Patients were followed for 18 months. Occlusion therapy was started 2 weeks postoperatively and continued for 3 to 4 months. Ten patients suffered from strabismus; they received orthoptic therapy.


RESULTS
Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) improved after LASIK. The difference in refraction between the two eyes was reduced as was the angle of strabismus. Binocular vision improved in one patient and simultaneous vision improved in three patients (vision in these patients was monocular before treatment).


CONCLUSIONS
LASIK with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser and the Hansatome Chiron Vision HT-230 microkeratome, together with occlusion and orthoptic therapy for pediatric correction of spherical anisometropia, may be an effective procedure that facilitates increased visual acuity and improved binocular vision. LASIK appears to be a safe surgical procedure for children over 9 years of age.
Rybintseva
L V
LV
Ophthalmology Research Center, New Line Vision, Moscow, Russia. nlvision@atom.ru
Sheludchenko
V M
VM
D000293:Adolescent; D015858:Anisometropia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009988:Orthoptics / Q000379:methods; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D013285:Strabismus / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology