Laser subepithelial keratomileusis for low to moderate myopia: 6-month follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effectiveness, safety, and stability of laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), a modified photorefractive keratectomy for low to moderate myopia.


METHODS
This study evaluated the results of LASEK in 48 myopic patients (84 eyes) with a consecutive 6-month follow-up period. Preoperative myopia ranged from 3.25 to 7.00 diopters (D). Uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction, epithelial healing time, postoperative pain, subepithelial corneal haze, and complications were examined.


RESULTS
Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better was achieved in 78.6% of eyes at 1 week and in 96.4% at 6 months after surgery. A mean refraction of within +/-0.50 D was measured in 42 eyes (50.0%) and +/-1.0 D in 79 eyes (94.0%) at 6 months. The epithelial healing time was 3.68 +/- 0.69 days (range, 3-6 days) and postoperative pain scores were 1.49 +/- 0.65. The subepithelial corneal haze scores were 0.56 +/- 0.34 and 0.16 +/- 0.25 at 1 and 6 months, respectively. As for complications, alcohol leakage during surgery occurred in 3 eyes, incomplete epithelial detachment in 3 eyes, contact lens intolerance in 5 eyes and steroid-induced elevated intraocular pressure (>21 mm Hg) in 1 eye.


CONCLUSIONS
LASEK is an effective and safe procedure for low to moderate myopia. It can be considered an alternate type of refractive surgery for correction of low to moderate myopia.
Lee
Jae Bum
JB
Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemoon-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Choe
Chul-Myong
CM
Seong
Gong Je
GJ
Gong
Ha Young
HY
Kim
Eung Kweon
EK
D000328:Adult; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing